Monday, August 8, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Top 5 questions about AOK you should have answered
1. Do you know that (a child’s) nearsighted progression can be controlled?
Recent studies indicate it can be. If treated by an Orthokeratologist, nearsighted progression can be slowed or stopped entirely. These children are not given any drugs like atropine. They are treated with special AOK retainers (which look like small contact lenses). These lenses are used only during sleeping hours and are therefore very comfortable. I treat children of any age, myopia, however generally begins around 7 or 8 years of age.
2. Do you know the risks of becoming a highly myopic individual?
As myopia increase so do the risks of sight threatening eye diseases. Theses diseases include Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, Retinal holes - tears - or detachments. Preventing disease in adulthood starts with prevention in childhood. LASIK does not reduce these risks.
3. Do you know how to avoid wearing eyeglasses?
Many children and adults are candidates for AOK. This treatment also allows patients to see clearly during the day without needing to use glasses or traditional contact lenses. When a patient wakes in the morning, their vision is clear through the retainers. However, the retainers are not left on the eyes. They are remove upon waking. The patient now has clear vision without any additional help from glasses or contacts. The vision stays clear all day long.
4. Is Advanced Orthokertaology (AOK) all the same?
The short answer is No. The long answer is that AOK is very orthokeratologist dependant. Since AOK has become popular in recent years, more doctors have become FDA certified to treat patients. This is a short online course a doctor must pass in order to begin fitting patients. An experienced orthokeratologist has years of training in the field of orthokeratology and see’s AOK patients on a regular basis. Fellowship trained orthokeratologist have demonstrated advanced knowledge and proficiency in the field of orthokeratology, and are acknowledged by the International Academy of Orthokeratology. The outcome of the procedure in regards to the quality of vision and the continued health of the eyes is directly related to the doctors experience and skills.
5. Is AOK the same as CRT?
Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT) is one type of Advanced or Accelerated Orthokeratology (AOK). AOK is not only CRT, it many include may different types of retainer lenses. CRT is a specific retainer design that is available in different parameters to fit many people. It is not a custom made lens using 1000’s of data points, therefore does not work as well as a custom made lens. In my practice I have a few patients in CRT and other pre-designed lenses, however most of our patients are in custom made retainers designed by me. First, I take a special picture (topography) of the patients eye. Every patient has a unique topography, it’s like a fingerprint of the eye. I convert and transfer the picture data to a computer program that allows me to design a custom retainer for each unique corneal shape. With over 10 years of custom designing lenses for my patients I have developed a strong understanding and preference for this method. I have had great success of taking over complicated unsatisfied CRT patients and refitting them successfully with custom AOK.
There are many more questions you may have regarding AOK. Reading through my blog and visiting my website may answer them. If you have additional questions, please schedule an appointment for a consultation at either of my offices. Choosing the right doctor is the most important decision you need to make.
Recent studies indicate it can be. If treated by an Orthokeratologist, nearsighted progression can be slowed or stopped entirely. These children are not given any drugs like atropine. They are treated with special AOK retainers (which look like small contact lenses). These lenses are used only during sleeping hours and are therefore very comfortable. I treat children of any age, myopia, however generally begins around 7 or 8 years of age.
2. Do you know the risks of becoming a highly myopic individual?
As myopia increase so do the risks of sight threatening eye diseases. Theses diseases include Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, Retinal holes - tears - or detachments. Preventing disease in adulthood starts with prevention in childhood. LASIK does not reduce these risks.
3. Do you know how to avoid wearing eyeglasses?
Many children and adults are candidates for AOK. This treatment also allows patients to see clearly during the day without needing to use glasses or traditional contact lenses. When a patient wakes in the morning, their vision is clear through the retainers. However, the retainers are not left on the eyes. They are remove upon waking. The patient now has clear vision without any additional help from glasses or contacts. The vision stays clear all day long.
4. Is Advanced Orthokertaology (AOK) all the same?
The short answer is No. The long answer is that AOK is very orthokeratologist dependant. Since AOK has become popular in recent years, more doctors have become FDA certified to treat patients. This is a short online course a doctor must pass in order to begin fitting patients. An experienced orthokeratologist has years of training in the field of orthokeratology and see’s AOK patients on a regular basis. Fellowship trained orthokeratologist have demonstrated advanced knowledge and proficiency in the field of orthokeratology, and are acknowledged by the International Academy of Orthokeratology. The outcome of the procedure in regards to the quality of vision and the continued health of the eyes is directly related to the doctors experience and skills.
5. Is AOK the same as CRT?
Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT) is one type of Advanced or Accelerated Orthokeratology (AOK). AOK is not only CRT, it many include may different types of retainer lenses. CRT is a specific retainer design that is available in different parameters to fit many people. It is not a custom made lens using 1000’s of data points, therefore does not work as well as a custom made lens. In my practice I have a few patients in CRT and other pre-designed lenses, however most of our patients are in custom made retainers designed by me. First, I take a special picture (topography) of the patients eye. Every patient has a unique topography, it’s like a fingerprint of the eye. I convert and transfer the picture data to a computer program that allows me to design a custom retainer for each unique corneal shape. With over 10 years of custom designing lenses for my patients I have developed a strong understanding and preference for this method. I have had great success of taking over complicated unsatisfied CRT patients and refitting them successfully with custom AOK.
There are many more questions you may have regarding AOK. Reading through my blog and visiting my website may answer them. If you have additional questions, please schedule an appointment for a consultation at either of my offices. Choosing the right doctor is the most important decision you need to make.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
AOK Julia
It's amazing, when I was about 5 years old my eyes began to cross because of my higher Farsighted prescription. I spent 2 years doing vision therapy and wearing special glasses. It worked great and my eyes don't cross any longer. I have very good stereo vision which simply means my eyes work really well together. This is important because many kids have this problem, but they get surgery instead to straighten their eye and many times their eye never learn to work together. I still had to use glasses because I was still Farsighted. Not anymore! About a year ago my father, who is an orthokeratologist, fit me with special contacts called AOK Retainers. I put them on at bed time (I could see with them on, they are like little contact lenses) and I take them off in the morning. So that way I never need to wear glasses or contact lenses while I am awake. Now my eyes are straight and I am free to play lacrosse, swim or just hangout without anything on my eyes or on my face! I do love my new sunglasses though, they are cool.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Cutting Edge Eye Care without the cutting!
April 28-May 1, 2011: Orlando, Fl. Abraham Zlatin, O.D. attended the Orthokeratology Academy of America educational conference. The OAA is an international organization of orthokeratologists who provide a nonsurgical alternative to refractive surgery for nearsightedness, astigmatism and hyperopia. Current research also shows that Ortho-K can slow myopic progression in children.
The keynote address was given by Melbourne Hovell, Ph.D., M.P.H.-Graduate School of Public Health in San Diego-Myopia as a Public Health Concern. The international faculty of presenters covered topics including myopia control (including soft lens technology), corneal reshaping research, safety of corneal reshaping, progressive/hyperopic Ortho-K lens designs, new corneal reshaping technologies, post Lasik/ Keratoconus Ortho-K designs, lens designs for corneal rehabilitation, corneal cross-linking and Ortho-K in China.
President Dr. Cary Herzberg had the pleasure of announcing the inception of the new International Academy of Orthokeratology(IAO). The IAO brings together ortho-K organizations from the America (OAA) as well and Europe and Asia. This international organization will support, promote and advance corneal reshaping worldwide thru quality education and research presentations at meetings held around the world. The first meetings are planned for Europe (Fall 2011), China (March 2012) and Phoenix(April 2012). For more information about Ortho-K go to www.EyehOO.com
Friday, April 15, 2011
Now AOK is available for Far Sighted patients as well
AOK for Hyperopia is now available. I am also launching our AOK for Presbyopia next month. These new designs will allow many patient over 40 years of age to continue to see in the distance as well as read up close with out the need of reading glasses. Stay tuned for more information.
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