Specialist Services
What is Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)?
Ortho-K is the only non-surgical procedure that allows you 20/20 vision without the use of correcting lenses during the day. It is a revolutionary therapy which involves the use of specially crafted contact lenses worn overnight to gently reshape your cornea while you sleep. Upon waking, your corneas will become the correct shape to accurately focus light enabling you to see clearly without the hassle of contact lenses or glasses during the day! To ensure that you will have good vision daily, you must wear these Ortho-K lenses continuously at night.
How does it work?
Ortho-K works by gently remoulding the front surface/window of the eye called the cornea. It does this by using the tears underneath a specially designed mold or lens. The lens itself creates a shape like a dental retainer and it is the sucking force of the tears that actually do all of the work. The lens itself does not physically press on the eye in any way, and is safe and comfortable for users.
What can Ortho-K treat?
Ortho-K is commonly used to treat myopia (short-sightedness). It can also be used to treat hyperopia (long-sightedness), astigmatism (unequal focus) or presbyopia (vision after forty). Talk to your Visique Ortho-K specialist to see if you are a candidate for this treatment.
Avid orienteer and Napier Boys High School student Callum Herries (16), who competed at the World Schools' Orienteering Championship in April, is currently ranked 10th in the world in the under-17 division.
He says Ortho-K has helped him excel at the sport by removing the need to wear glasses while practicing and competing. "Orienteering involves a lot of running and having to wear glasses can be quite disruptive. This is especially true when it’s raining - which happens a lot in New Zealand - as you aren't able to see through your glasses."
Callum, who sufferers from myopia (short-sightedness), first competed in the World Schools' Orienteering Championship at the age of 14 in northern Italy, and was awarded a silver medal in the junior boys' grade.
Tim Eagle, Visique Shattky optometrist and Ortho-K specialist, says freedom from wearing contact lenses or glasses is a major benefit to patients, especially those who participate in sports, but for younger patients there is another advantage. "Ortho-K can really help patients who suffer from myopia. For teenagers and young adults the advantages are two-fold: they can cease wearing their glasses or contact lenses, which many find inconvenient, and it can also slow down the progression of short-sightedness."
To learn more contact any of the following locations who specialise in Ortho-K:
Ortho K Services Available at:
Visique Botany Optometrists (Botany, Auckland): 09 274 9839
Visique Milford Optometrists (Milford, Auckland): 09 489 4797
Visique Frith and Laird Optometrists (Manurewa, Auckland): 09 267 3160
Visique Papakura Optometrists (Papakura, Auckland): 09 298 2898
Visique Rose Optometrists Frankton (Frankton, Hamilton): 07 847 3195
Visique Rose Optometrists Huntly: 07 828 6069
Visique Greerton Optometrists (Greerton, Tauranga): 07 577 0113
Visique Shattky on Russell Optometrists (Hastings): 06 876 3777
Visique Naylor Palmer Optometrists (Palmerston North): 06 358 8781
Visique on High Optometrists (Lower Hutt, Wellington): 04 586 3332
Visique on Main Optometrists (Upper Hutt Wellington): 04 527 7770
Visique Canon Street Optometrists (Timaru): 03 688 9791
Visique Pakuranga Optometrists: 09 572 0028
Interested to know more? Call 0800 VISIQUE (8474783) or drop in to your local Visique optometrist and speak to one of our visual therapy experts.