Thursday, December 12, 2013

Long-Term Orthokeratology Patient Satisfaction


Orthokeratology satisfaction (Vancouver Optometrists - Vision Source)
Yet another study supporting the use of orthokeratology (also known as corneal reshaping) appeared in the November 2013 issue of the scientific journal Contact Lens.  The new study found that long-term satisfaction rates with orthokeratology treatment were high.  We have provided orthokeratology at our Vancouver eye clinic since we opened.

Orthokeratology is a safe and effective vision correction method where patient wears a lens retainer at night that reshapes the cornea of the eye.  The result is clear vision the next day without the need to wear corrective lenses during waking hours.  A number of studies have also shown that orthokeratology is effective in slowing or stopping myopia progression and that is save and effective in children.

The researchers who conducted the new study used a questionnaire where patients rated their visual experience and satisfaction levels with orthokeratology on a scale of 0-10.

orthokeratology and corneal reshaping therapy in Vancouver, BC.
The results of the study showed that light distortion in low light conditions decreases over time and decreases more quickly in younger patients and in patients with lower amounts of myopia. Predictably, visual performance declined after a patient skipped a night of lens retainer wear but this was usually tolerated.  In addition, the majority of patients report that they skipped overnight wear at least 1 night per week, but tolerate the resulting transient decrease in vision. Overall satisfaction was high, even after skipping a night of lens wear.

Here are the results in the study's own words:

More than 50% of patients skipped lens wear at least 1 night per week. The most common wearing pattern was 6-8 hours a day for 72.7% with 54.5% of patients wearing lenses every 2-3 nights only. Subjective vision scores after lens removal was 9.1 ± 1.1 after having worn the lenses and 8.1 ± 1.4 after skipping lens wear for 1 night. Subjective vision scores before lens insertion at the end of the day was 6.9 ± 2.0 and 5.8 ± 2.4, respectively. The number of hours until noticeable blur reduced with increased level of baseline myopia (r = 0.396; P < 0.001). 
Source:

Eye & Contact Lens
Subjective Satisfaction in Long-Term Orthokeratology Patients Eye Contact Lens 2013 Nov 01;39(6)388-393, E Santolaria, A Cerviño, A Queirós, R Brautaset, JM González-Méijome

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