Your wearing schedule, lens-care routine and office contacts—all here whenever you need a refresher.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Welcome to your Ortho-K routine
Ortho-K lenses are specially designed rigid contact lenses that you wear while you sleep. They gently and temporarily reshape the front surface of your eyes so you can see more clearly during the day after removing them.
Have these supplies ready
Your Ortho-K lenses and lens case
The exact cleaning and disinfecting system prescribed by your doctor
Call your office whenever you have a question or something does not feel right.
Proper lens care and following your prescribed wearing schedule are essential. Read the complete guide and keep it available whenever you need a refresher.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF TREATMENT
The lenses will feel a bit scratchy during the first few nights of wear. All Ortho-K lenses are fit flatter than your original corneal shape, so they will feel loose and floppy in the beginning. Ortho-K treatment involves gently pressing on the steeper central portion of your cornea, smoothing the shape flatter. As your eye reshapes, the comfort improves.
Your initial prescription, your age, the shape of your eyes and your strict compliance with our instructions will determine how quickly we reach your goal. During the initial treatment phase, we may provide temporary contact lenses until we reach our goal. Please be patient, amazing vision without daytime contact lenses is on its way.
Typically, we expect to see 90% of the vision changes within the first week of treatment and full treatment within two weeks. Some eyes will require a longer period of time to complete the process.
Initially, you may find your excellent vision slips a bit later in the day. If this occurs, we may ask you to wear disposable lenses until fill treatment is achieved. .
Don’t compare yourself to others who have undergone Ortho-K treatment. Each person’s response varies.
You may feel confused about how to care for your lenses or have many questions. CALL THE OFFICE or send us an email. This procedure is new to you and it is only natural to have questions. We are here to help.
LENS WEARING SCHEDULE
Contact lenses are medical devices regulated by the FDA. Maintaining healthy eyes and proper vision includes diligent lens care, adhering to the prescribed wearing schedule and regular examinations.
Your Ortho-K lenses are designed to be worn while you sleep and removed when you wake.
INSERTING AND REMOVING YOUR LENSES
Always work over a counter with the sink stopper is in place.
Before handling your lenses, always wash your hands thoroughly
NEVER LET TAP WATER TOUCH YOUR LENSES
Inserting: (done just before bed)
Open the right case and lubricate the lens thoroughly with the Unique pH solution. Be careful not to press down on your lens or squeeze the sides.
Place the lens on the pad of your index finger and add one drop of Systane.
Tilt your head downward parallel to the floor. Using the middle finger from your right hand and the index finger from your left hand, hold your lid and lashes open.
Keep the lens and your index finger parallel to the floor and insert the lens so that none of the solution spills out. Just press gently and the lens will adhere to your eye.
Slowly let go of your lids and the lens will center.
Repeat this for the left eye. Always start with the right eye to establish a routine and reduce the chance of mixing up the lenses.
Rinse the case with hot tap water, then let air dry, upside down.
FIRST FEW NIGHTS OF WEAR
Insert your lenses as directed. Go right to sleep so the Ortho-K lenses center for maximum treatment. Sleep a minimum of 6 hours ON YOUR BACK. You may need to prop your head with pillows to keep from rolling over.
Continue to sleep on your back for the next 3 nights as well.
Removal: (done upon waking)
Put a drop of lubricant or Systane in each eye, roll them around for 1 minute. Place a few artificial tears and one drop of Systane in eyes. With eyes closed, gently massage outside eyelid to loosen adhesion. Place plunger on lower part of lens and remove. Within a few blinks you should feel your lens moving.
Grasping your lids as described above, moisten your plunger with unique pH and place plunger on lower edge of lens. Gently hold the plunger for a few seconds and then pull out.
Place the lens in the case and fill with hydrogen peroxide disinfectant. Leave the lens in the case for at least 6 hours to condition the lens.
Repeat for the left lens.
LENS CARE
To a large extent, lens wear success will depend on carefully following the instructions we have provided. To best meet your needs we have recommended the following lens care products:
DAILY
Unique pH or Boston Simplus Multipurpose Solution OR Clear Care® Triple Action Cleaning (Do not buy Clear Care PLUS!!) Peroxiclear® or other hydrogen peroxide disinfectant
INSERTION
Place one drop of Systane into the Ortho-K lens prior to placement
REMOVAL
Place a few artificial tears and one drop of Systane in eyes. With eyes closed, gently massage outside eyelid to loosen adhesion. Place plunger on lower part of lens and remove
REWETTING DROP
Refresh Contacts or Optive
TIPS FOR IMPROVED SUCCESS
Make Up:
Only remove your make up with baby shampoo. Oil-based removers will allow oil to penetrate your lids and place a film on your lenses. Oil-free removers are solvents and may damage your lenses and disturb your tear film resulting in dry irritated eyes. Never put liner on the pink margin of your lids. It can plug or infect your lid glands.
Lens Handling:
Never hold your lenses by the edges when rinsing; this can warp the Ortho-K lens and diminish your treatment. Never use tap water.
If you drop your Ortho-K lens, always re-clean it thoroughly and rinse several times with Unique pH. If it is stuck to the floor, use your plunger to remove it. If it falls in the drain, do not wear it until it has been re-sterilized with Clear Care for 6 hours.
If your lens seems stuck on your eye and you are having difficulty removing it, rock the plunger slightly towards your ear. This should break the suction. You may also use the procedure listed on lens removal instructions. If they are still stuck, call the office.
Never drag your lens out of the case, it could get scratched.
Never reuse your lens solutions.
Never put your lens in your mouth or wet it with saliva. Your mouth has germs and could cause you a massive infection.
Never let anyone else wear your lenses.
When not to wear your lenses:
When you are sick (cold, flu, have an infection, etc.)
When you have an eye infection
If your eyes are red, irritated or have drainage
If the lenses are damaged, cracked or chipped
When to insert your lenses:
Right before you go to sleep. If you wear your lenses while your eyes are open, gravity will pull the lenses downward and they will stick off center. This will drastically affect your treatment success.
Follow Up Visits:
These are essential for proper Ortho-K treatment. Please always bring your lenses to each visit. We will be checking your corneal health, the treatment success and the condition of your lenses. We will also answer any questions or concerns you have (so write them down so you won’t forget). If visits are missed, this could jeopardize the treatment or your eye’s health.
PATIENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Follow all verbal and written instructions.
Attend all scheduled appointments.
Report all problem, concerns and questions to the doctor at your follow up visit.
Provide the office with advanced notification should you be unable to attend one of your follow-up visits.
Use only the prescribed lens care solutions system.
Comply with the prescribed wearing schedule of the lenses.
Report all lens-elated emergencies immediately by calling the office emergency numbers provided
UP-TO-DATE EYEGLASSES:
Do not discard your old glasses. You may become ill and unable to wear your lenses for a while. In that case, your treatment will regress and you will need glasses to see until you are better.
PERIODIC EYE HEALTH AND CONTACT LENS EVALUATION:
You will be asked to return to our office to have the health of your eyes and the fit of your lenses evaluated. The eye shape may change, altering the fit of the lens. This could jeopardize the health of your eye. Further, the ability of your eye to tolerate a lens may change. This could result in progressive scarring of the eye. If detected early at your yearly exam, this can be remedied. If left undetected, this can cause damage to your eye and vision.
EMERGENCY CARE
What to do now
Remove your Ortho-K lenses immediately if you can do so safely. Do not put them back in.
Keep the lenses in their case and bring them with you; do not throw them away.
Call your Eye D Vision office promptly for instructions and a same-day evaluation.
After hours
Call your usual office number. If you cannot reach us and your symptoms are severe or worsening, seek urgent evaluation from an eye-care professional or an emergency department.