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United Daily News / Reporter Zhang Jiafang / Taipei Report
2012.02.15 11:38 am
The controversy over the side effects of laser vision correction surgery has raised the question: Can orthokeratology lenses serve as an alternative? Doctors indicate that orthokeratology lenses require long-term nighttime wear, carry the daily risk of corneal infection, and come with high costs—lasting at most two years per pair—making it unlikely to become the mainstream solution for myopia in the future.
"The risks of orthokeratology lenses for myopia correction may not be lower than those of laser surgery," said Dr. Zheng Huichuan, an ophthalmologist at Mackay Memorial Hospital. Orthokeratology lenses must be worn during sleep, and if the lenses or hands are not properly cleaned, bacterial infections or corneal ulcers may occur. Post-treatment, the cornea may develop scars, becoming like "frosted glass," leading to blurred vision. In severe cases, blindness can result, requiring corneal transplant surgery to restore sight.
Dr. Zheng explained that orthokeratology lenses primarily use rigid lenses to flatten the central corneal epithelium and push it to the periphery. This causes the surrounding corneal epithelium to thicken, making images fall in front of the peripheral retina, thereby preventing the eyeball from elongating and slowing the progression of myopia. However, if the lenses are not worn for a period, the corneal epithelium will revert to its original shape, making the effect temporary. Additionally, orthokeratology lenses are expensive, costing around NT$30,000 per pair, with a lifespan of only two years.
Dr. Zheng noted that children, who are still growing, often have unstable vision. Orthokeratology lenses are mainly used to "control myopia progression" and prevent rapid increases in nearsightedness. He emphasized that these lenses should only be considered for children if, after correcting reading posture and habits, and using cycloplegic agents proves ineffective, their myopia still increases by over 100 degrees annually. This helps prevent high myopia, which raises the risk of cataracts, glaucoma, retinal holes, or detachment later in life.
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ NATIONAL/ NATS6/ 6901479. shtml#ixzz1mQGWZW2k
Replacing Laser Eye Surgery? Ortho-K Lenses May Not be Safer
2012.02.15 11:38 am
The controversy over the side effects of laser vision correction surgery has raised the question: Can orthokeratology lenses serve as an alternative? Doctors indicate that orthokeratology lenses require long-term nighttime wear, carry the daily risk of corneal infection, and come with high costs—lasting at most two years per pair—making it unlikely to become the mainstream solution for myopia in the future.
"The risks of orthokeratology lenses for myopia correction may not be lower than those of laser surgery," said Dr. Zheng Huichuan, an ophthalmologist at Mackay Memorial Hospital. Orthokeratology lenses must be worn during sleep, and if the lenses or hands are not properly cleaned, bacterial infections or corneal ulcers may occur. Post-treatment, the cornea may develop scars, becoming like "frosted glass," leading to blurred vision. In severe cases, blindness can result, requiring corneal transplant surgery to restore sight.
Dr. Zheng explained that orthokeratology lenses primarily use rigid lenses to flatten the central corneal epithelium and push it to the periphery. This causes the surrounding corneal epithelium to thicken, making images fall in front of the peripheral retina, thereby preventing the eyeball from elongating and slowing the progression of myopia. However, if the lenses are not worn for a period, the corneal epithelium will revert to its original shape, making the effect temporary. Additionally, orthokeratology lenses are expensive, costing around NT$30,000 per pair, with a lifespan of only two years.
Dr. Zheng noted that children, who are still growing, often have unstable vision. Orthokeratology lenses are mainly used to "control myopia progression" and prevent rapid increases in nearsightedness. He emphasized that these lenses should only be considered for children if, after correcting reading posture and habits, and using cycloplegic agents proves ineffective, their myopia still increases by over 100 degrees annually. This helps prevent high myopia, which raises the risk of cataracts, glaucoma, retinal holes, or detachment later in life.
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ NATIONAL/ NATS6/ 6901479. shtml#ixzz1mQGWZW2k