I don’t have 20/20 vision, but I can see perfectly well without needing glasses or contacts during the day. So, how is this possible? Well, for the past four years I’ve been wearing orthokeratology lenses every night and when I wake up I am able to see without the need for any glasses. However, if I miss a night or two, my vision will begin to worsen and I’ll need glasses to see clearly again. Despite seeming like magic, there is actually science behind this treatment.
Turns out that while I am asleep, the lenses are temporarily reshaping the cornea of my eye. The oxygen-permeable lenses are slightly different from daily contact lenses. Instead, the central portion of the lenses apply a slight pressure to the eye to flatten the flexible cornea tissue. There is also a gap between the eye and the outer portions of the lenses to allow the cornea to change shape. Furthermore, changing the shape of the cornea allows one’s vision to be clearer because it refocuses light into the retina. Hence, it still amazes me that I can see clearly in the day by just wearing the ortho-k lenses nightly!
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