Managing Dry Eye Syndrome During Ortho K Treatment

Suffering from dry eye syndrome can sometimes make your life feel miserable. Dry eye syndrome is characterised by low or poor tear production, leading to your eyes feeling dry and uncomfortable. If you suffer from this condition, you may be left feeling as though you can't use innovative treatments such as ortho K, also known as orthokeratology. However, this isn't always the case.

Why Dry Eye Syndrome May Feel Worse With Ortho K

Ortho K is a treatment that promotes corneal reshaping by wearing specialist contact lenses overnight. The lenses are gas permeable. As they are highly breathable and aim to let a lot of oxygen through, ortho K contact lenses might feel more uncomfortable for those who suffer from dry eye syndrome. You may, therefore, feel tempted to steer away from this type of treatment if you need corneal reshaping. However, it's important to recognise that every case is different, which means you may still be able to use orthokeratology with no or minimal discomfort.

Ways to Manage Dry Eye Syndrome During Orthokeratology

Whether or not you choose to use orthokeratology should be a discussion between you and your opthalmologist. If you do choose to go ahead with it, you may find that the following approaches work:

• Pre-treatment evaluations will confirm whether ortho K is suitable for you. While some people might not benefit from the treatment, others can use it alongside other treatments that boost eye lubrication. Although this may mean placing a heavier focus on your eyes for the foreseeable treatment, having better eyesight should be worth the effort.
• Your eye care team may be able to recommend different types of lubricating eye drops to ensure you simulate natural tear production. Such eye drops may be different from the type you currently use. You may want to try trialing these drops before committing to orthokeratology.
• Before starting the treatment, it's important to learn about how to keep your ortho K lenses clean. Good eye hygiene is often central to making sure the treatment is successful and can reduce dryness. It's also worth introducing strategies to stop yourself from rubbing your eyes, such as wearing gloves or finding something else to do with your hands.

Having dry eye syndrome doesn't mean you need to veer away from orthokeratology. Although some people may be excluded from the treatment, others will find that simple interventions help. If you're interested in corneal reshaping and have dry eye syndrome, discuss ortho K with your eye care team. For more information on ortho K, contact a professional near you.