OrthoK Research Report

There is growing interest in orthokeratology throughout the world because of its ability to slow the progression of myopia in young patients. As the silent epidemic of myopia surges globally, eye care professionals realize that they must become more adept at managing myopia rather than just correcting it, and many are turning or returning to orthokeratology.

To determine who is using OrthoK and who is not and how and why these ECPs are making their decisions around an established and growing treatment to manage myopia, Jobson Optical Research surveyed a group of optometrists and other eye care professionals.

The results available in the OrthoK Survey cover the instruments used, number of patients, educational resources, preferred fitting methods, labs used, lens designs and materials, and more. Among the results for those not using OrthoK are their reasons for choosing not to.  

Methodology
The Ortho-K lens survey was written by Dwight Akerman, OD, MBA, FAAO, FBCLA, FIACLE; Michael J. Lipson, OD, FAAO, FSLS; and Jennifer S. Harthan, OD, FAAO, FSLS in collaboration with and distributed by Jobson Optical Research. The survey was administered from October 12 to November 3, 2021, to determine practitioner demographics, preferences, and practice habits in orthokeratology and to compare optometrists who do and do not fit orthokeratology. As an incentive to participate, optometrists were given a chance to win an Amazon gift card.

In total, 553 Eye Care Professionals completed the survey. Of those who completed the survey, 148 fit OrthoK lenses, and 405 did not fit OrthoK lenses.