From the Winter 2002 Issue
Health&Fitness

Want 20/20 Vision-Take a nap
by Dr. Fiona Soong, B.Sc. O.D.

HAVE YOU GOT AN EYE FOR EYES? GUESS WHO?
If you wear glasses they probably fog up and tend to get in the way when you’re getting physical…like when you’re playing sports. And often, daywear contact lenses feel dry and uncomfortable when you’ve had them in too long. But things are looking up since a new procedure has been developed that will let you go to sleep and wake up without needing glasses or contacts. And no eye surgery is involved. Orthokeratology uses specially designed contact lenses to temporarily reshape the front curvature of your eye (cornea) while you sleep. When you wake up in the morning you remove the lenses and experience perfect vision for the entire day. The procedure first requires a full eye examination with an optometrist to make sure that your eyes are healthy and your prescription is within the parameters of eligibility (prescriptions less than –5.00 Dioptres are most successful). Then a computerized mapping system takes a picture that records the curves of your eye. The optometrist then designs special trial lenses for you to wear while you sleep. You may need a couple of lenses designed before the perfect “fit” is found. Once you remove the contact lens you should be able to see markedly better. Although it may fade in the evening of the first few days, the results will slowly get better and last longer the more you wear it, until finally your vision is perfect.

ADVANTAGES:
•No more irritated contacts from dust, smoke or allergies.
•Nothing to interfere with your sports.
•May slow down and stagnate the progression of nearsightedness.

DISADVANTAGES:
•Is limited to persons with nearsighted (myopic) prescriptions.
•May require a few optometric visits to fit the lenses correctly.

COSTS:
•$1500 - $3000 for initial fitting and lenses.
•Lenses need to be replaced every 1-3 years.
•Replacement lenses are approx. $300.

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