have just seen a tv bulletin about a remedy for short sightedness, this involves wearing a contact lens at night which reshapes your cornea. apparently some people have reported their vision has improved to 20/20 just after the first night. Has anyone done this and if so, do you know how much it cost you? I am in australia, so please tell me your currency so i can convert, thanks
2007-11-08 19:13:16 · 4 answers · asked by wombi 4 in Health ➔ Optical
Its called orthokeratology. It is temporary in the sense that if you stop wearing the lens, the short sightedness returns. The idea is to sleep every night with the lens so as to manage in the day time without it.
Works best on mild myopia up to about 3D. Cost will depend on your local market, expect $1000 to $2000 US.
2007-11-09 16:31:09 · answer #1 · answered by Judy B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I saw the same report about Orthokeratology. The hard contact lens reshapes the cornea overnight and you have to wear then around 3 nights a week - nothing is required to be worn during the day. And yes, the remedy is temporary insofar as if you stop wearing the nighttime lenses, the cornea eventually returns to its original shape. On balance though, I'd prefer this to laser surgery! I guess it depends on your life-style - I've worn contact lenses for many years with no problems but some people have trouble with allergies and infections etc and need an alternative.
For non-Australians who haven't got a clue what we're talking about, the report link is: http://au.todaytonight.yahoo.com/article/41381/health/corrective-eye-non-surgery
A list of practitioners that do this therapy in Australia can be found at http://www.osa.net.au/pract.htm
Guess they can quote you prices Womster.
2007-11-08 23:05:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Shortsighted, also called nearsighted, is a function of the curvature of the lens in the eye. If there is a way to modify the curvature, you can change the sight of the eye. Yes, there are things which can modify the curvature, but are not a permanent solution. Only laser surgery can permanently change the cornea curvature.
2007-11-08 19:40:30 · answer #3 · answered by rowlfe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I discussed this with three optometrists and they all said that it only temporarily improves your vision as the so called 're-shaping' is only temporary. And as soon as you stop wearing the corrective lenses at night, which are very uncomfortable, your cornea returns to its original state.
Sorry.
2007-11-08 19:22:00 · answer #4 · answered by James Watkin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋