2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
3 Clinical Optics
Chapter 5: Contact Lenses
Orthokeratology and Corneal Reshaping
Orthokeratology refers to the overnight use of RGP contact lenses to temporarily mechanically reshape the cornea. For myopia, lenses are designed to flatten the central cornea for a period after the lenses are removed. The objective is to wear the lenses only during sleep, and not need glasses or contacts during the day. For further information, see the section Orthokeratology in BCSC Section 13, Refractive Surgery.
To provide similar temporary correction for hyperopia, soft lenses are also used. There is interest recently in attempting to use contact lenses to reduce progression of myopia in children. This subject remains controversial.
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Bennett ES, Henry VA. Orthokeratology. In: Clinical Manual of Contact Lenses. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2014.
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Van Meter WS, Musch DC, Jacobs DS, Kaufman SC, Reinhart WJ, Udell IJ; American Academy of Ophthalmology. Safety of overnight orthokeratology for myopia: a report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. 2008;115(12):2301–2313.e1.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series : Section 3 - Clinical Optics. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.