Orthokeratology goes by many names…. Ortho-k, corneal refractive therapy, Gentle Vision Shaping, corneal molding, and others. At Bright Eyes Family Vision Care, we tend to call it corneal reshaping or Orthokeratology. But regardless of whatever terms we choose to call it, our patients call it “awesome!”

Watch for yourself:

(Click here to watch on Youtube).

This last weekend I was fortunate enough to  attend and speak at  the Orthokeratology Academy of America (OAA) 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 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 techniques. I heard speakers from Australia, Japan, China, Italy, Spain, and from all over the US.

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.  For more information about the OAA click here.

At Bright Eyes, we have successfully treated patients from 7 to 59 years old with orthokeratology. This includes pilots, lawyers, retirees, and lots of kids like Christopher (above). If you would like more information about Orthokeratology, call our office in Westchase at 813-792-0637 or visit http://BrightEyesOrthoK.com

Nathan Bonilla-Warford, OD
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Located in the Westchase area of Tampa.

Unfortunately, due to the birth of Javier this October, I wasn’t able to make it to one of my favorite meetings: the annual meeting and educational conference of the Orthokeratology Academy of America (OAA). This year it was in Phoenix, AZ. I missed a lot of great topics  including: controlling nearsightedness, non surgical alternatives to vision correcting eye surgery, new lens designs for -improved corneal reshaping treatment, pediatric Ortho-K, post-surgical vision rehabilitation and new Ortho-K therapeutic treatments were unveiled.

Many of my friends and colleagues were there. Close to two hundred attendees came to Phoenix from the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, and places as far as Taiwan and  Singapore.

I am a member of the Orthokeratology Academy of America (OAA). Its mission is to establish policy and to develop and update protocols and education for doctors performing corneal reshaping (orthokeratology).

Myopia is a progressive condition affecting 1.6 billion children and adults worldwide, with expectations that the number will hit 2.5 billion by 2020. Exciting research now shows that orthokeratology can slow the elongation of the eye which contributes to progressive nearsightedness in children and young adults. 20/20 vision can be restored in as little as one day to one month depending on severity.

Orthokeratology involves the fitting of a specialized contact lens designed to reshape the cornea during sleep much like braces realigning the teeth. In addition, Ortho-K is a less expensive and safer alternative to surgical vision correction. For more information on this process, stop by Bright Eyes or go to www.brighteyesorthok.com and www.okglobal.org.

Nathan Bonilla-Warford, OD
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Located in the Westchase area of Tampa.

The other day when I was beginning the follow-up for a patient who is doing Precise Corneal Reshaping, I was handed a small Thank You card.

This patient is a wonderful 10 year old girl who is very funny.  She and her mother were very interested-enough to drive  from Pinellas to the Westchase area of Tampa, several times- in PCR because the girl’s prescription in her glasses had been increasing every six months .  When she started, we talked about how PCR might be difficult because her prescription was high, but that it would give her the best chance of minimizing an increase in her prescription.

Well, after 1 week of wearing the reshaping lenses, she was seeing almost 20/20 without glasses or contacts. She was able to swim and do other summer activities without worry. She was so excited that she wrote the note below:

This is the great thing about being a doctor! Letters like this!

Nathan Bonilla-Warford, OD
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Located in the Westchase area of Tampa.

enough to drive from Pinellas to the Westchase area of Tampa, several times

This new 13 minute video does an excellent job of describing Precise Corneal Reshaping for patients of all ages.

If you have questions about the process or are curious if you are a candidate, please contact the office.

Be well!

Nathan Bonilla-Warford, OD
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Located in the Westchase area of Tampa.

Dr. James Jordan is a colleague of mine from Colorado who specializes in corneal reshaping (orthokeratology). He had the opportunity to talk about corneal reshaping on a local television program called Colorado & Company. He brought a patient along to discuss her results.

You can watch the whole video by clicking here. It is short and summarizes many of the benefits of corneal reshaping including the effectiveness and reversibility of the procedure.

If you are interested in finding out more about Precise Corneal Reshaping, or are wondering if you are a candidate, you can read more about it or call our office.

Be Well!

Nathan Bonilla-Warford, OD
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Located in the Westchase area of Tampa.