Orthokeratology is a safe, reversible and effective vision correction solution. However, incorrect care of contact lenses and solutions can increase the risk for eye infections and corneal ulcers. Risk factors for acquiring an eye infection include improper lens cleaning and disinfection, poor hygiene practices and smoking. Following your practitioner's hygiene regime, along with regular reviews, will minimise this risk.
Always wash and rinse your hands thoroughly and dry them with a lint-free towel/tissue before handling contact lenses. All traces of soap, perfumes, hair-spray, creams and lotions should be removed from your hands and around your eyes.
To avoid confusion make a habit of inserting the same lens - generally the right lens - first. You will notice that the right lens is green and the left lens blue. Minimise the risk of lens loss by plugging the sink or using a paper towel over the drainage opening.
Step 1
Remove your Ortho-K lenses from the cleaning solution case and rinse with saline. If you are using a hydrogen peroxide solution, you can only remove the lenses after a minimum soaking time of six hours.
Step 2
Place 1-2 drops of lubricating insertion eye drops into the back of the lens. Place the lens on your index finger and insert directly into the centre (coloured part) of your eye in a face down position. To save confusion, it’s a good idea to insert the right lens first.
Step 3
If you happen to drop your Ortho-K lens, use saline solution to rinse the lens clean. To do this place the lens in the palm of your hand and thoroughly rinse for five seconds.
Step 4
Dry and wipe out your lens case with a tissue. Leave the case lid off to air dry while wearing your lenses.
Normal occurrences on insertion
On rare occasions, a lens may become dislodged from the centre of the eye and move to the side. This may be uncomfortable but won’t do any harm.
Abnormal occurrences on insertion
If on insertion you experience stinging, burning or pain, remove the lens, rinse and re-insert. If problems persist, remove the lens and see your optometrist at your earliest convenience.
Method 1 – Manual removal (preferred method)
Method 2 – Suction tool removal
Always clean your lenses after wear. An effective cleaning process is vital to ensure comfortable, hygienic and infection-free contact lens wear. With correct cleaning, contact lenses will feel better on your eyes, allow better eye health and vision, and dramatically reduce bacteria and other contaminants. There are several types of rigid lens cleaning solutions: Peroxide based systems like AO Sept and multipurpose rigid lens solutions like Menicare and Boston Simplus. There are several steps involved in cleaning and storing Ortho-K lenses that vary depending on the system.
These solutions work by having your contact lenses immersed and sterilised in 3% hydrogen peroxide. Over the course of a 6 hour period the catalyst in the case converts the hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen gas. This cleaning solution has the advantage that when your lenses are removed from the case they require no rinsing as they are covered only in sterile, non-preserved water. They also generally require no rubbing step, which decreases the risk of accidental breakage. The case can be left to air dry when not in use, and should be replaced with each new bottle of solution. AO Sept now had the addition of Hydraglyde, an ingredient which improves the wettability of your contact lenses, making them more useful for scleral patients with long day-wear times.
To clean your lenses fill the case up to the line, place your lenses in the correct cage-holder. Then submerge the case and screw closed. Take care when transporting the case as sometimes the small gas-release hole can leak solution.
Care should be taken not to get the un-neutralised peroxide in your eyes as this will sting painfully. If this occurs rinse thoroughly with water and contact your optometrist if the pain persists or your vision is affected. Find AoSept at our shop here.
To clean and maintain the wettability of your lenses use intensive cleaner, such as Menicon Progent. Place the lenses into the contact lens case holders. Open vial A and B by twisting the cap and pour the contents into the contact lens case. Replace the lid and tighten. Leave the lenses in the solution for 30 minutes, then remove and rinse thoroughly with saline. Lenses can now be worn or soaked in your daily cleaner. (please note that this product may not be available in all countries, ask your practitioner).
Follow-up appointments are vital to the monitoring and success of your new Ortho-K procedure. The first follow up appointment will be scheduled for the day after your first night of wear. The other follow up appointments will be determined by your Ortho-K practitioner based on your response to the first night of orthokeratology therapy and the severity of your vision correction.
Normal occurrences during the first 2 weeks include:
Abnormal symptoms (contact us immediately) include:
Habits that may cause a lens to break include:
It is very rare for a lens to break in your eye unless something hits your eye or your removal technique is incorrect/very forceful. The solutions you use to clean your lenses will not weaken or degrade them ‒ not even the powerful Progent fortnightly deep cleaner.
We understand that when you are learning how to use your lenses you may be inadvertently forceful during insertion, removal or cleaning. Because of this we offer a 1 month manufacturer’s replacement warranty on accidental breakages. Outside of this period, your lens is not covered by a warranty and the lens will need to be replaced at your cost if damaged or lost. If you break a lens within 18 months of its original purchase/fit then we are happy to offer 50% off the price. Outside of this 18 month period the lens will be full-price.
Normally a lens will take less than one week to arrive from the lab when ordered. If you are very dependent on the lens, we will of course ask our lens company to manufacture it as soon as possible. Because of the inevitable waiting time, we encourage all rigid lens wearers to have a spare set of lenses available for a situation where a lens is lost or broken. We also offer 50% off the full price for a spare lens if purchased within 12 months of the original.
If you do lose or damage a lens, please don’t fret, just give our friendly team a call and we will arrange a replacement as quickly as we can.
Do not use your Forge Ortho-K contact lenses in the following cases:
Remember, your eye must;
LOOK GOOD (no red eyes), FEEL GOOD (no pain, discomfort or light sensitivity), SEE GOOD (no persistent blurry vision). If in doubt, take them out and call your optometrist.
References:
The Safety of Orthokeratology--A Systematic Review. 2016 Jan;42(1):35–42.
Efficacy, Safety and Acceptability of Orthokeratology on Slowing Axial Elongation in Myopic Children by Meta-Analysis. 2016 May;41(5):600–8.
Wu YT, Zhu H, Willcox M, Stapleton F. Impact of air-drying lens cases in various locations and positions. Optom Vis Sci. 2010 Jul;87(7):465-8
Sweeney, D., Holden, B., Evans, K., Ng, V. and Cho, P. (2009), Best practice contact lens care: A review of the Asia Pacific Contact Lens Care Summit. Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 92: 78–89. doi:10.1111/j.1444-0938.2009.00353.x
Choo JD, Holden BA, Papas EB, Willcox MDP. Adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to orthokeratology and alignment lenses. Optom Vis Sci. 2009 Feb;86(2):93–7.
Yepes N. Infectious Keratitis After Overnight Orthokeratology in Canada. 2010 Oct 19:1–4
Bullimore MA, Sinnott LT, Jones-Jordan LA. The risk of microbial keratitis with overnight corneal reshaping lenses. Optom Vis Sci. 2013 Sep;90(9):937–44.
Sweeney, D., Holden, B., Evans, K., Ng, V. and Cho, P. (2009), Best practice contact lens care: A review of the Asia Pacific Contact Lens Care Summit. Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 92: 78–89. doi:10.1111/j.1444-0938.2009.00353.
Cho, P., Cheng, S. Y., Chan, W. Y. and Yip, W. K. (2009), Soft contact lens cleaning: rub or no-rub? Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, 29: 49–57