Safety and Hygiene:

Orthokeratology is a safe and effective vision correction solution. However, incorrect care of contact lenses and solutions can increase the risk of eye infections and corneal ulcers. Risk factors for acquiring an eye infection include improper lens cleaning and disinfection, poor hygiene practices and smoking. Following your consultant’s hygiene regime, along with regular reviews, will minimize this risk.

Before handling the Ortho-K lenses

•Always thoroughly wash your hands with an antibacterial based hand wash and dry them with a clean lint-free towel before handling, removing, or inserting your Ortho-K lenses. Make sure to clean all parts of your hands including between the fingers and dry thoroughly.

• Sit at a table or desk and place a lint-free cloth and a waste container on the table. Avoid bathrooms as they often contain more germs than any other room in the home. Avoid rinsing the lenses over a sink as you are more likely to flush your Ortho-K contact lenses down the drain by accident.

• Inspect your lenses for scratches, chips, or cracks. Do not wear chipped or cracked lenses as these may cause discomfort and pain.

The cleaning solutions:

• Saline solution is used to rinse the Ortho-K contact lenses after cleaning.
  
• Cleaner removes debris and deposits on the Ortho-K contact lenses with easy rinsing.
  
• Conditioning solution is the disinfectant that kills the germs.
  
• 3% Hydroperoxide solution acts as both cleaner and disinfectant. Hydroperoxide is a strong chemical that could burn your skin therefore is not to be used in direct contact with your skin or your eyes. Hydroperoxide will be neutralized after 6 hours. Lenses are to be rinsed with saline solution before insertion to the eyes.
  
• Protein remover removes the protein deposit on the Ortho-K lenses. Examples include Boston One Step Liquid Enzymatic Cleaner and Menicon Progent solution.
  

Cleaning:

Ortho-K contact lenses are to be cleaned every morning once lenses are removed from your eyes. The lenses can be cleaned using a two-stage cleaning system which begins with a cleaner then soaking in a conditioning solution through the day to disinfect. In the one-stage cleaning system, 3% hydroperoxide solution is used to clean and disinfect the Ortho-K contact lenses at the same time.
Here we will discuss how to use the Bausch + Lomb two-stage cleaning system to clean the ortho-K lenses.

Two-stage cleaning:

Step 1: Place the Ortho-K lens in the palm of your hand and apply two to three drops of lens cleaner onto the lens. Gently rub both sides of the lens for at least 20 seconds.


Step 2: Rinse the Ortho K lens with saline solution over the waste container.


Step 3: Place the Ortho K lens in the lens case and fill with the conditioning solution, soak through the day. Conditioning solution is the disinfectant that kills the germs. Repeat Step 1 to 3 for the other lens.


Step 4: Remove the protein deposit on the Ortho K lenses – do it weekly
Detach one container from the strip by pulling tab toward you from top to bottom. To open, twist the tab off the single-use container. Squeeze container to release 2 drops of Boston One Step Liquid Enzymatic Cleaner into the conditioning solution in each lens well in step 3. Soak the Ortho K lenses for at least four (4) hours (or through the day) before wearing to ensure proper cleaning and disinfecting. Always use fresh solution for soaking the lenses.


Step 5: Before wearing the Ortho K lenses, take the lens out of the case onto the palm of your hand, apply 2-3 drops of saline solution. Gently rub both sides of the lens for at least 20 seconds then rinse the lens thoroughly with saline solution. The lens is now ready for insertion. Repeat for the other lens.


Step 6. Discard the solution in the lens case, rinse the case with fresh conditioning solution, air dry after each use.


Step 7: Discard the solution waste in the waste container, rinse with water and air dry.

GUIDELINES

The following guidelines are designed to ensure the safety of your ortho-k treatment.
• Always wash hands with cold, cream-free, deodorant-free soap before handling contact lenses.
• After removing your lenses, always clean and disinfect them before reinserting.
• Follow your consultant’s lens care recommendations exactly.
• Clean and air-dry the contact lens case every day after use.
• Always check with your consultant before changing cleaning solutions.
• Replace lens cases periodically.
• Avoid using solution for a longer period than its shelf life after opening--check with your consultant for a recommended duration for use of opened bottle of solutions --typically 30 to 60 days after opening.
• Never reuse solutions. Discard used solutions immediately.
• Never use saliva to moisten a contact lens; never put a contact lens into your mouth.
• Never use home-made saline solution.
• Never store contact lenses in non-sterile fluids such as distilled water, tap water, bottled water, or home-purified water.

WARNING SIGNS - If an eye becomes red or uncomfortable while a contact lens is in place, remove the lens immediately. If the problem continues after the lens has been removed, see your eye care professional immediately. Make an emergency appointment if needed.