Concerned About Your Child’s Nearsightedness? OrthoK with the Gentle Shaping System May Be the Answer!
Are your kids near-sighted? Are they having trouble seeing the chalkboard in school? Is is getting worse? OrthoK may be the solution you’re looking for.
WHY IS NEARSIGHTEDNESS BAD?
Nearsightedness negatively affects one’s life by making a person dependent upon glasses or contact lenses. Nearsighted patients may also be more susceptible to glaucoma, macular degeneration, and retina tears and detachments. Any of these conditions can cause permanent loss of sight.
Children in today’s age of electronic devices are particularly prone to nearsightedness (especially if their parents are also myopic). The rapid increases in prescription that children experience known as Progressive Myopia needs to be contained.
WHY DO MY CHILD’S EYES GET WORSE EVERY YEAR?
Progressive Myopia is nearsightedness that mostly affects children. These kids experience changes in their glasses that increases over time periods of less than on year and in amounts greater than 0.50 Diopter.
WHAT ARE THE COMMON CAUSES OF PROGRESSIVE MYOPIA?
- Excessive close-up tasks, such as reading, desk work and computer work.
- The genetic components of parents who are near-sighted.
- Patients of Asian descent.
By employing our experience in myopia control we are able to provide a brighter future for your children. Our Gentle Shaping System safely and comfortably corrects and slows myopic changes without surgery.
WHAT IS ORTHOKERATOLOGY? WHAT IS ORTHOK?
Orthokeratology, also referred to as OrthoK, Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT) or Overnight Vision Correction, is defined as the use of rigid gas-permeable corneal molds to improve vision through the reshaping of the cornea. These molds are typically worn only at night. This corneal reshaping method can be used as an alternative to eyeglasses, refractive surgery, or for those who prefer not to wear contact lenses during the day.
WHAT IS THE GSS? IS GSS THE SAME AS ORTHOK?
The Gentle Shaping System uses computer designed corneal molds to gently and gradually reshape the front surface of the eye (the cornea) to eliminate or reduce nearsightedness and moderate amounts of astigmatism. While similar to contact lenses, the molds are worn only at nighttime during sleep. They are then removed upon awakening to provide clear vision without using glasses or contact lenses! Corneal Molds are comfortable, easy to care for, and offer relief from the problems sometimes associated with full time contact lens wear like dryness and things getting on or under the lenses. Besides GSS, you may also see this program called: Orthokeratology, OrthoK, Gentle Molding, Cornea Reshaping, CRT, or Corneal Refractive Therapy.
TREATMENT BEGINS WITH THE GENTLE SHAPING SYSTEM Without a doubt, starting an Orthokeratology program is one of the most exciting things you can do. One day you’re wearing glasses and the next you’ve forgotten how you used to see prior to your treatment.
Patient expectations are by far the largest factor as regards a successful outcome. Those who wish to have clear, functional vision; be free of glasses and daytime contact lenses; and either slow down or arrest their children’s progressive myopia will find GSS to be a fantastic treatment.
OrthoK has been referred to as a “miracle” and based on its life changing and vision enhancing outcomes, this is not an exaggeration.
DOES GSS HAVE ANY ADVANTAGES OVER LASER SURGERY?
Yes! GSS is about half the cost of laser vision correction. Perhaps the most important attributes of GSS are that it is non-invasive and reversible (unlike laser surgery).
WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF GSS?
Patients must allow for 4 – 6 office visits during the first three months of the program. Also, should you stop wearing your corneal molds, your vision will slowly return to its original state. While the success of GSS is very high nationally, it cannot be guaranteed. Although it is rare that a good candidate does not do well with GSS, the rate and degree of change may vary from one person to the next.
WHAT DOES GSS INVOLVE?
Your first year on the program includes a comprehensive vision / eye health exam is performed. Then, a computerized map of your corneal topography is obtained to design your corneal molds. When you pick up your molds, you will be trained on how to use and care for them. The maintenance is very easy. After we check how the molds fit, you can bring them home (yes, you will be able to see with them in). The next morning, you will remove your molds at home, come to the office, and we will check your vision. Most of the clarity changes occur rapidly over the first few days. If any change in the design of the molds is needed we will reorder new ones for you (at no charge). For most patients, only one pair of molds is needed. Even after you are seeing well we will continue to monitor your eyes to ensure your cornea is adapting well. Most patients are done with their follow up care in three months, but due to factors like original prescription and corneal flexibility the speed of GSS varies from patient to patient. When treatment is complete, your corneal molds are worn nightly to maintain daytime clarity. Program fees are determined by vision correction and the shape of the cornea and will be outlined by Dr. Gerowitz at the start of your program.
IS EVERYONE A CANDIDATE FOR GSS AND CAN ANY DOCTOR PERFORM IT?
Unfortunately, no. It will not work as well for higher levels of myopia (above -8.00) and needs to be done in a very exact and meticulous manner. Dr. Gerowitz has received special training and has the necessary diagnostic equipment to perform GSS. There are no age barriers for GSS. It is safe for children and adults and may prevent further nearsightedness from increasing!
ABOUT DR. GEROWITZ’S TRAINING:
Dr. Gerowitz, a Chicago Orthokeratologist and Optometrist, began studying OrthoK in 1998. In April 2000, his first OrthoK patient received treatment. In 2002, Dr. Rob participated in the first Global Orthokeratology Symposium in Toronto. As a result of that lecture, he has often been invited to speak internationally to his fellow Orthokeratologists. Dr. Rob is also a charter member of the American Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control and serves on its Board of Directors.
WHAT IS A FELLOW IN THE American Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control?
The AAOMC is the leading body of Orthokeratologists in the United States, formed to support, promote and advance Orthokeratology by providing quality education and scientific information on the subject of OrthoK to all its members. Fellowship status in the AAOMC is determined by doctor experience and expertise and follows a rigorous case evaluation and testing procedure. Those Orthokeratologists who achieve Fellowship status are committed to adhering to the highest standards of care in this specialty. Dr. Gerowitz was one of the first Orthokeratologists in the U.S. to achieve his Fellowship in Orthokeratology.
WHAT SHOULD PARENTS DO WHEN THEY NOTICE THEIR CHILD’S MYOPIA PROGRESSING?
Our office offers free OrthoK consultations, by appointment. These visits allow your child to meet us, get comfortable with our office, experience Gentle Shaping, and get everyone’s questions answered.
Please call our office at (847) 705-7777 to arrange a convenient consultation visit.