What is Myopia?

Nearsightedness (myopia) is a common vision condition diagnosed during eye exams. If you are myopic, objects that are farther away appear blurry. Myopia is caused by genetics, as well as other environmental factors. Myopia has increased by 66% in the United States since 1971. Multiple studies show myopia becoming much more common in children. Onset can begin as early as age 6. Many researchers believe reduced outdoor time and increased screen time on devices are part of the problem.

Ortho-K

In orthokeratology, patients use Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT) hard contact lenses at night while sleeping, remove the lenses when they wake up, and experience clearer vision without glasses or contacts throughout the day. Paragon CRT® therapeutic contact lenses gently correct the curvature of the cornea, thus temporarily correcting myopia. Ortho-K contacts are successfully used by both children and adults for daytime vision correction.

In FDA trials of CRT lenses, more than 65% of patients were able to achieve 20/20 visual acuity after wearing the reshaping lenses overnight. More than 90% were able to see 20/40 or better (the legal vision requirement for driving without glasses in most states). Ortho-K can slow the rate of myopia progression in children by an average of around 50%. Adults choose ortho-k to avoid the daytime use of contacts or glasses.

Ortho-K is a great solution for patients who:

• Want a glasses-free lifestyle during the day

• Are too young for LASIK or are not a LASIK candidate

• Adults and children who play sports

• CRT can work for children or adult patients who find soft contacts irritating (such as patients with allergies or dry eye)

FAQS

How soon will I see results?

Using Ortho-K improvement in vision is generally reported within one or two times of wearing lenses overnight. Most patients have rapid improvement in the first few days of treatment and achieve their optimum vision in 10 to 14 days.

MiSight lenses correct your vision upon first wearing them and gradually work to slow the progression of myopia in children aged 8-12 at the initiation of treatment.

Will I see 20/20?

MiSight lenses are therapeutic lenses that also have vision correction, so you will be able to enjoy similar vision correction to regular glasses or contacts. The lenses do not reverse myopia but can prevent your nearsightedness from getting worse.

More than 65% of patients achieved 20/20 visual acuity in FDA trials conducted on CRT. More than 90% of patients achieved 20/40 vision or better (the legal requirement for driving without vision correction in most states.)

Is myopia management safe?

Paragon CRT® has been prescribed to over 1.5 million patients, in over 50 countries. Lenses can be discontinued at any point without permanent effects to the eyes. The risk of wearing Paragon CRT® contact lenses or MiSight lenses is no greater than other contact lenses. MiSight are daily disposable lenses, which is the safest type of contact lens with the lowest incidence of adverse events and lowest infection risk. CRT has been approved by the FDA for 15 years and MiSight lenses were approved in 2019 after several years of patient trials.

Curious if MiSight or Ortho-K are right for you?

Dr. Leisner specializes in myopia management. Contact our office at 804.748.6983 to find out if you or your family member are candidates and what option makes the most sense for you.

Learn more in these videos.

MiSight Patient Experiences

Ortho-K for Work and Play