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Why is nearsightedness (myopia) so important?

Studies show without effective treatment nearsightedness may have short and long-term concerns.

Short Term Concerns
  • May compromise a child's ability to learn.1
  • May lead to lower self-esteem2
Long-Term Concerns
  • Higher myopia may cause serious vision issues later in life including: retinal detachment, glaucoma, macular degeneration and blindness. 3

What factors

Influence childhood nearsightedness

Genetics

There is a 25% chance that a child will develop myopia if one parent is myopic. That jumps to 50% if both are myopic.4

Outdoor Time

An increase in time spent outdoors could result in greater protection against myopia onset by 50%.5

Age of Onset

Studies show that the younger a child becomes nearsighted, the greater the myopia.6

Treatment Options

Different vision correction options have shown varying effects on the progression of nearsightedness.7

What is Ortho-K?

Ortho-K are contact lenses that correct nearsightedness and are only worn at night.

The lenses are put in before bed, your child wears them while asleep, removes them in the morning, and enjoys clear vision all day!

Why Ortho-K Is A Good Choice For Your Child.

Academic Performance

Studies show that without effective treatment of nearsightedness, children could fall behind in school.2

Increased Self Esteem

Reduce self-consciousness about wearing glasses or concern about losing glasses.

Less Restrictive for an Active Child

Lens-free vision is less restrictive so children may be more active in sports and at school.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is orthokeratology?

Orthokeratology (ortho-k) with contact lenses correct nearsightedness and are worn at night. The lenses are put in before bed and worn while you sleep. The lenses are removed when you wake up and the wearer enjoys clear vision all day, without needing other vision correction like glasses or daytime wear contact lenses.

What are the benefits of ortho-k?

Ortho-k offers clear vision during the day without wearing lenses. Lens-free vision is less restrictive so children may be more active at school and in sports

Removes the worry and complications of your child wearing glasses or other forms of vision correction during the day. There is no risk of your child losing them at school.

More convenient than glasses or daytime correction.

What are the benefits of ortho-k vs. traditional contact lens?

You will experience clear vision without wearing contact lenses or glasses during the day when you are being treated with ortho-k! Traditional contacts or glasses, once removed, don’t provide any vision correction.

The lens-free vision is less restrictive so children may be more active at school or in sports.

Ortho-k removes the worry and complications of your child wearing glasses or contact lenses during the day. There is no risk to your child losing them or breaking them while at school.

In a study comparing the quality of life of ortho-k to soft contact lenses, 68% chose ortho-k lenses worn at night, whereas 32% preferred soft lenses worn during the day. The primary differences favoring ortho-k lenses were fewer activity limitations, less trouble with symptoms, and less dependence on refractive correction.1

1Lipson MJ, Sugar A, Musch DC. Overnight corneal reshaping versus soft disposable contact lenses: vision-related quality-of-life differences from a randomized clinical trial. Optom Vis Sci. 2005 Oct;82:886-891

More Faqs

Why

Ideal for the active lifestyle of children worldwide
  • Lens-free lifestyle improves vision-related quality of life and influences self-esteem3
  • Trusted by parents and worn by thousands of children worldwide
  • FDA approved for overnight wear and the correction of nearsightedness (myopia)
Safely corrects their vision while they sleep
  • Ortho-K lenses like iSee lenses have successfully corrected myopia for over 20 years
  • The advanced technology and materials utilized in iSee lenses are safe and effective

New Wearer Questions

Who is a candidate?

Prospective wearers are nearsighted, have a desire to be free of glasses, want to do well in school and may be active. There are no age limitations and wearing lenses depends on the child and the recommendation of your eye care professional.

What is the process?

After an initial eye exam and a discussion with your doctor, custom lenses may be designed based on your child’s individual eye measurements. Your doctor will evaluate the lenses and provide training on lens application, removal, and cleaning.

Are ortho-k lenses safe?

Ortho-K lenses are FDA approved for the treatment of myopia for all ages and have a 20-year history of being worn safely by millions worldwide.

References

  1. Jan C, Li S-M, Kang M-T, Liu L, Li H, Jin L, et al. Association of visual acuity with educational outcomes: a prospective cohort study. Br J Ophthalmol.: Published Online First: 18 January 2019
  2. Lipson MJ, Sugar A, Musch DC. Overnight corneal reshaping versus soft disposable contact lenses: vision-related quality-of-life differences from a randomized clinical trial. Optom Vis Sci. 2005 Oct;82(10):886-91.
  3. Xu L, Wang Y, Wang S, Wang Y & Jonas JB, ‘High Myopia and Glaucoma Susceptibility: The Beijing Eye Study’ Ophthalmology, Volume 114, Issue 2, February 2007;
  4. Jones, et al, Parental History of Myopia, Sports and Outdoor Activities, and Future Myopia. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2007;48(8):3524-3532. doi: https://doi.org/10.1167/iovs.06-1118.
  5. Xiong, Shuyu & Sankaridurg, et al, (2017). Time spent in outdoor activities in relation to myopia prevention and control: A meta-analysis and systematic review. Acta Ophthalmologica. 95
  6. Hu Y, Ding X, Guo X, Chen Y, Zhang J, He M. Association of Age at Myopia Onset With Risk of High Myopia in Adulthood in a 12-Year Follow-up of a Chinese Cohort. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2020;138(11):1129–1134. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2020.3451
  7. Sankaridurg P. Contact lenses to slow progression of myopia. Clin Exp Optom. 2017 Sep;100(5):432-437
  8. Zhao F, Zhao G, Zhao Z. Investigation of the Effect of Orthokeratology Lenses on Quality of Life and Behaviors of Children. Eye Contact Lens. 2018 Sep;44(5):335-338.