Vision Correction with Ortho-k

Did you know that nearly 30% of the world’s population suffer with myopia, making it one of the most common vision problems globally—and these numbers are on the rise.

At Fox Chase Family Eye Care, Dr. Uri Schechter and the staff help patients with their vision correction needs. If you or a loved one have any vision difficulties, we can help.

Ortho-k is a treatment option used as part of a Myopia Management program, however the other benefit of night-time ortho-k lenses is that you experience clear vision, without any day-time glasses or contact lenses.

All You Need To Know About Vision Correction

Vision Correction is used to correct refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism (when light enters the eye incorrectly), or presbyopia (farsightedness due to aging).

What Is A Refractive Error?

The ability to see images or objects with clear, sharp vision results from light entering the eye. Light rays bend or refract when they hit the retina, sending nerve signals to the optic nerve, which then sends these signals to the brain. The brain processes them into images, allowing you to understand what you see. When these light rays bend incorrectly, it results in a refractive error and typically causes blurry or cloudy vision.

Your eye doctor will often prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct the vision impairment. Glasses and contacts enhance your vision by shifting the way that images enter your eyes. They refract light properly, so that your brain processes images correctly, resulting in clear vision. However, corrective lenses do not cure vision problems; they simply enhance your existing vision.

What Is Considered “Vision Correction”?

Since the primary cause of vision problems is caused by light bending incorrectly as it enters the eye, virtually any method of treatment that changes this can be categorized as a form of vision correction.

Eyeglasses and contact lenses – the most common types of corrective measures – are almost always recommended as the first course of treatment for vision problems. While they are considered a very basic method of vision correction, they are unable to control the refractive error from progressing. Patients whose vision worsens over time need new glasses or contacts. In these cases, longer-term solutions are needed.

Deciding upon the right course of treatment for refractive errors can depend on several factors such as age, your lifestyle and daily activities, eye health and overall physical health. Dr. Uri Schechter will conduct a thorough eye exam and discuss your and your family’s medical history to get a complete picture of your vision needs.

The Benefits Of Vision Correction Without Surgery

When eye surgery is performed and the corneal tissue – or the cornea itself – is repaired or reshaped, it is generally permanent. Surgical procedures are matters of a serious nature and are often the last resort, when all other vision correction options have been exhausted. That’s why most doctors recommend non-surgical treatment methods first, the most common being Ortho-k lenses.

Some of the benefits of Ortho-k vision correction include:

• Less invasive: surgery is an invasive procedure that involves corneal incisions, whereas non-surgical corrective treatments are less intense with lower risks
• Not permanent: so it’s easier to try different treatment methods to find which ones work for your needs
• Limited Guarantee: LASIK has limited guarantees for how many years you’ll enjoy 20/20 vision. Whether you have 1 year or 10 years is completely up to your eyes. Orthokeratology, however, provides guaranteed 20/20 vision or better as long as you wear the lenses.
• Orthokeratology can correct both near and far vision: LASIK is only for nearsightedness.
• More Candidates: Some patients may not be good candidates for eye surgery due to age, a thin cornea, or the presence of other viruses or eye conditions. For example, a patient with chronic dry eyes could be ineligible for LASIK, since this surgery can exacerbate symptoms of Dry Eye.

Ortho-k is Safe For Kids As Young As 6 And For Adults Over 60!

Ortho-k vision correction is safe for children as young as 6 and adults over the age of 60.

Some vision correction surgeries cannot be performed on patients under 21 years old. Kids’ eyes are still developing and their vision is unstable, so most doctors prefer to wait until their young patients’ eyes stabilize before considering surgical vision correction.

As we age, our vision changes. Typically beginning in middle-age, the lens of the eye begins to lose some elasticity causing presbyopia, a form of farsightedness. Presbyopia can be treated with corrective lenses, including multifocal lenses. Multifocal lenses have various degrees of lens power, which helps the patient experience clear vision in any direction – up, down and to the sides.

If you or a family member needs vision correction and you’re looking for a safe, risk-free treatment, contact Fox Chase Family Eye Care to schedule a consultation.

Vision Correction Is Good For Athletes, Travelers & Business Leaders

Athletes

Competitive sports is more than just a game. The ability to see clearly from both near and far distances is critical in sports. Athletes with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism can’t play well if they can’t see well. The right vision correction can provide the visual clarity that serious athletes need to play and win!

People Who Travel

Whether you travel for business or pleasure, air travel can lead to dry eyes. This is due to the air pressure and dry environment that’s inside of the airplane cabin. Some people find that administering artificial tears provides the relief they need. If you generally wear contact lenses, swap them for glasses during the flight to avoid painful dry eyes. This is especially important for long, international flights.

People Who Need That Edge In Business

In the digital age, we enjoy constant connectivity to our smartphones, computers and tablets. For business people with vision problems, who need to remain connected with a high level of visual clarity, getting the right vision correction treatment is not only beneficial for their visual health, but for their jobs.

So if you need to be at the top of your game in business, talk to Dr. Uri Schechter about your vision needs. We’ll focus on improving your vision, so you can focus on your business.

If you suffer from vision problems, contact Fox Chase Family Eye Care. Our caring staff will provide you with the best vision correction treatment that’s right for you.

Our practice serves patients from Philadelphia, Jenkintown, Cheltenham, and Fox Chase, Pennsylvania and surrounding communities.