In most optometrst and ophthalmologist's offices, eye glasses and regular contact lenses are used to correct vision. However, glasses and regular contact lenses will not help to slow eye changes. Very often, higher prescription and thicker glasses are needed each year for children.

Orthokerology and Cornea reshaping therapy (CRT)have shown very promising results in myopia treatment by slowing down its progression each year. Patients are also glasses free during the day. Based on current reaseach and clinical observation, it appears very likely that Ortho-K or CRT can essentially stop (or lease slow down) the progression of myopia in the young, emerging myope. It is my belief that nearly every emerging myope should be given the opportunity to have Ortho-K or CRT lenses. It allows the stabilizing myopia at low levels and reducing wearing time. We do not have to wait until the young myope progress to higher level before you step in with a better alternative. So keep them at low level!

Why does Ortho-K or CRT control myopia? It turns out that myopia development appears to be controlled
by the focus of the peripheral retina. At the recent Orthokeratology Academy of America meeting, there was a fair amount of discussion, continued from years ago, about myopia control based on research by Earl Smith, O.D. of the College of Optometry, Houston. His research is with monkeys but the results have been found in many different species.

The eye has an emmetropization process (this means the eye wants to have zero correction) that is
mediated primarily by the peripheral retina to a much greater degree than the central retina. The eyeball
grows during maturation and stops growing when the peripheral retina comes into focus. During axial length growth the peripheral retina predicts which way the eye is going to change.

Think of peripheral correction as being able to exist separate and distinct from "regular" or central
focusing. Or what he calls hyperopic or myopic peripheral defocus. If you have good central acuity, you might have a peripheral defocus in front or behind the retina.

If the peripheral retina is hyperopic, in effect the peripheral image is behind the peripheral retina,
then the signal within the retina is to keep growing, and with it the central retina moves further out (grows) from Plano to myopic if measured centrally, like we all do measure it.

If your peripheral retina is myopic, in effect the peripheral image is in front of the retina, the retinal signal is to stop or slow growth.

The key to control the growth is curvature of field - move the peripheral retinal image where it needs
to be; for kids who continue to get more nearsighted (progressive myopia), bring it forward so it is closer to the retina in the periphery.

Standard spectacle lenses with their "corrected curves" move the peripheral image in the direction
that encourages myopic progression.

Ortho-K corneas, due to the para-central plus powers induced, move the image closer to the retina
which discourages axial growth.

For more information or shedule for a Ortho-K and CRT evaluation, please call 781-676-2020 for Lexington (MA) office and 603-898-8252 for Salem (NH) office.

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