Dream Lenses: Are They Only For Kids?
Imagine waking up to perfect vision without the need for eye surgery — could dream lenses make this a reality for you?
There is a myth that orthokeratology contact lenses ( a.k.a. Dream Lenses, Night Lenses or Ortho-K Lenses ) are only meant for children. Yet, many adults find orthokeratology to be a liberating solution that fits seamlessly into their lifestyle, eliminating the daily annoyances of traditional contact lenses and glasses.
I’m Dr. Jotinder Khosla, optometrist at Optometrist Parramatta. Our practice is renowned for our experience in fitting dream lenses for both adults and children. We utilize advanced corneal topography equipment to ensure optimal results for our patients.
In this article I want to share how dream lenses can offer you the gift of clear vision as an adult without the need to undergo LASIK or other invasive procedures.
Dream Lenses: An Overview
Here is how dream lenses works in simple terms.
The clear part at the front of your eye is called the cornea, which helps focus light into the eye, enabling you to see clearly. If the cornea’s shape is slightly off, light doesn’t focus correctly, leading to vision problems like nearsightedness (blurry distant vision) or farsightedness (blurry close vision).
Dream lenses reshape the cornea gently while you sleep. You insert these lenses before going to bed, and overnight, they press lightly against the cornea, molding it into a shape that helps light focus properly.
The next morning, you remove the lenses and go about your day with clearer vision. This reshaped cornea allows you to see more clearly without the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses. The effect is temporary, but usually lasting at least 24 hours, so wearing the lenses each night helps maintain the correction.
These lenses have proven particularly popular with families who have children struggling with myopia. Dream lenses have been clinically proven to slow down myopic progression.
But the benefits of orthokeratology are not limited to growing eyes. Dream lenses can be a great option for mature aged patients as well.
Benefits of Dream Lenses for Adults
The advantages of these lenses extend beyond vision correction. Let’s explore all the use cases where adults may benefit.
Daytime Convenience: One of the key benefits is the ability to go about your day without needing prescription glasses or daytime contact lenses. By wearing dream lenses overnight, users wake up to improved sight, free from any additional visual aids. This convenience resonates with many adults who find traditional eyewear cumbersome or unsuitable for their daily activities.
Suitable for Dry Eyes: Some people suffer from a medical condition where the eyes do not produce enough tears (or produce poor quality tears). Dream lenses offer an alternative that bypasses the discomfort such patients may experience from using regular daytime contact lenses. Avoiding the need for contact lenses during the day makes dream lenses an ideal solution for sensitive eyes.
No Daytime Irritation: Regular contact lenses can easily irritate eyes in smoky, dusty, or windy environments. These conditions introduce particles and pollutants that can accumulate on the lens surface, causing discomfort and reducing visual clarity. The constant exposure to these irritants may lead to redness, itching, or even infection, making traditional contact lenses challenging if you are frequently exposed to such environments.
Active Lifestyle Friendly: Ortho-K lenses cater to adults with active lifestyles. Especially if you are enjoy high impact sports, these lenses remove the hassle of losing or damaging glasses and contact lenses. The freedom to do whatever you like without worrying about your eyewear is invaluable.
Flexible Solution: Another significant benefit of Ortho-K is its reversibility. Unlike surgeries, the effects of dream lenses can be halted if usage is discontinued. This aspect appeals to those preferring a flexible, non-permanent vision correction option.
Non-Surgical Alternative: Some adults may not qualify for eye procedures such as LASIK or implantable contact lenses (ICL) due to thin corneas, other medical conditions, or personal preferences. Dream lenses offer a non-invasive solution, making them an appealing choice for those cautious about, or unable to undertake eye surgery.
Correcting Imperfect LASIK: Laser eye surgery can sometimes lead to incomplete vision correction. This may occur due to individual healing variations, regression of the corrected prescription over time, or limitations in the original procedure’s effectiveness. In such cases, patients might find their vision remains blurry or distorted to some degree, necessitating additional corrective measures. Dream lenses might be a good strategy for such patients who are just looking for a prescription “top up”.
To learn more about the advantages of Ortho-K lenses for adults, watch the following video from W Optics.
Prescription Range for Dream Lenses
Dream lenses cater to a variety of refractive errors, making them a versatile solution for vision correction. Let’s take a look at the prescription ranges they accommodate:
Myopia: Dream lenses are particularly effective for correcting myopia, or nearsightedness. They are designed to handle spherical prescriptions ranging from -0.75 diopters up to -5.50 diopters, making them an excellent choice for those struggling to see distant objects clearly.
Hyperopia: In addition to myopia, dream lenses can correct hyperopia, or farsightedness, up to around +4.00 diopters. This range enables adults who have difficulty focusing on near objects to benefit from orthokeratology.
Astigmatism: Dream lenses also address astigmatism, with prescriptions up to -2.50 diopters. Astigmatism occurs due to irregular corneal curvature, causing blurred or distorted vision at all distances.
Longevity and Maintenance of Your Lenses
Dream lenses provide a non-invasive solution for clear vision, but understanding their longevity and maintenance is essential for maximizing their benefits.
Replacement: Dream lenses typically last about one year, depending on individual care and usage. Properly maintained, these lenses can provide a cost-effective and long-term vision correction solution.
Care Techniques: Maintaining dream lenses involves a daily routine to ensure they stay clean and functional. After removing the lenses in the morning, they should be cleaned thoroughly with an appropriate solution to remove proteins, bacteria, and debris. Rinse them well before storing in fresh solution in a clean lens case. It’s essential to avoid reusing old solution, as this can lead to contamination and eye infections. Additionally, hands should be washed thoroughly before handling the lenses to prevent introducing bacteria or oils.
Regular Check-Ups: To ensure dream lenses continue to provide optimal vision correction, regular check-ups with an optometrist are necessary. These visits allow for monitoring the lenses’ effectiveness, addressing any fitting issues, and making adjustments to the prescription as needed. Routine follow-ups also help identify potential complications early, ensuring safe and consistent results.
Choosing the Right Optometrist for Dream Lenses
Here’s what to consider when selecting your optometrist.
Qualifications and Experience: Not all optometrists are qualified to prescribe dream lenses. Ensure your chosen professional has specialized training in orthokeratology, demonstrating both knowledge and experience in this unique vision correction method. An optometrist skilled in prescribing dream lenses can guide you from initial consultation to ongoing care, ensuring optimal results and managing any potential complications.
Personalized Approach: A good optometrist offers a personalized approach, considering your unique needs and lifestyle. This includes understanding your prescription history, visual goals, and daily habits, allowing them to tailor a solution that suits you. This personalized care ensures effective fitting and monitoring, helping Ortho-K therapy provide lasting benefits.
Convenient Follow-Up Visits: Regular follow-up visits are integral to Ortho-K therapy. Your optometrist should be conveniently located to accommodate these visits, allowing for easy adjustments and monitoring. This ensures the effectiveness of the therapy over time and addresses any complications or concerns promptly. During the initial period of using these lenses, you’ll be required to make frequent visits just to ensure the lenses are working as planned.
CONCLUSION
Dream Lenses, or Ortho-K lenses, offer a revolutionary approach to vision correction, allowing you to see clearly during the day without needing glasses or contacts. Compared to other methods like LASIK, they offer a non-surgical, reversible alternative that is both safe and effective.
Ignoring the potential of dream lenses might lead to worsening vision problems and missed opportunities for an enhanced quality of life. Embrace the opportunity for a transformative eye care solution; schedule an eye exam today to learn more about how orthokeratology can work for you.
To make an appointment, give us a call at 02 9891 2020 or click the “Book Online” button on our website.
Dr Jotinder Khosla – Optometrist
B.Optom (UNSW), CertOcTher (UNSW) Therapeutically Endorsed Optometrist
Member of the Orthokeratology Society of Oceania
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