“Myopia, or nearsightedness, affects nearly everyone. Orthokeratology (ortho-k), or corneal refractive therapy, not only helps young athletes prevent nearsightedness from progressing further, but athletes of all ages appreciate how the vision correction works overnight safely for perfect vision throughout the day. Unlike standard contact lenses that can lead to eye infections, irritation, or eye injuries during rough sports, orthokeratology allows one to be completely free from eyewear..”
Why Should Athletes Choose Orthokeratology Over Contact Lenses?
Contact lenses are often another choice of vision correction for athletes. Contacts are easy to wear and rarely interfere with one’s head and body movements. Plus, contacts provide clear vision during a rainy day and don’t fog up. Athletes achieve excellent peripheral vision along with a complete wide field view of their surroundings.
Unfortunately, contact lenses are often overused and poorly maintained. This means a contact lens wearer is more prone to eye infections, redness, and even cornea scarring. Contact lenses can move around in the eye, especially if a patient rubs their eyes from dryness or irritation. A brief moment of discomfort in the eye can make or break an athlete’s focus & hamper their performance.
Contact lenses may not correct astigmatism, which can increase the risk of a misplaced contact or unstable vision. While a contact lens may provide some clarity, a contact lens wearer with an astigmatism may actually be viewing the world with less precision and reduced reaction time. Lastly, contact lens wearers are more prone to eye allergies or seasonal irritants like wind or extreme temperatures, another reason why contacts aren’t the ideal solution.
Orthokeratology avoids most contact lens related problems as they are worn overnight in the comfort of your own home. Maintenance is far easier than conventional contact lenses, which drastically reduces the risk of contact lens overuse, eye irritation, or eye infection.