Orthokeratology Becomes A Solution For Children's Minus Eyes

Photo: Special

JAKARTA Amid the increasing prevalence of myopia cases or minus eyes on children and adolescents in Indonesia, eye health experts call for the need for early and effective intervention to prevent worsening these conditions.

One of the non-scattery solutions that is now increasingly popular is Orthokeratology (Ortho-K), which is therapy using special contact lenses that are worn while sleeping and working to correct vision without the need for glasses during the day.

In an educational event organized by JEC Eye Hospitals and Clinics, the public and the media are invited to understand more about the benefits of Ortho-K as a vision correction method that is not only practical but also preventive.

"Orthoke that we use has superior material, with high oxygen delivery power and good flexibility, so it is comfortable for children and adults to use, without causing complications such as in ordinary softlens," said DR. Dr. Tri Rahayu, SpM(K), FICLE, Chair of JEC Contact Lens Service, Wednesday 18 June 2025.

Ortho-K: Temporary Correction Without Operation

According to Dr. Tri Rahayu, the routine use of the Ortho-K lens every night can provide a temporary correction effect on the minus eye. When used during sleep, this lens slowly reshapes the eyeline, allowing clear vision during the day without glasses.

The most important benefit of Ortho-K is the ability to withstand an increase rate of minus, especially in children. This is very important because high myopia poses a risk of causing serious complications that can lead to blindness," he explained.

The effectiveness of this therapy depends on the magnitude of minus that it has. For minus low, the correction results can be felt in one or two nights of use. However, for minus the height, the optimal correction can take longer.

Ortho-K therapy can be used from the age of 6 to 7 years, depending on the maturity and ability of children to use contact lenses. There is no maximum age limit, so this therapy is also suitable for adults who want to reduce dependence on glasses.

Apart from myopia, Ortho-K can also correct cylinders (astigmatism). For more complex cases, such as patients with minus eyes and cylinders as well as plus for close vision, two approaches are available:

1.Full correction + reading glasses, and

2.Monovision where one eye is corrected for remote vision, and the other is left slightly minus to help take a close look.

Miopia is now no longer considered a mild disorder, but a global epidemic, including in Indonesia. Dr. Tri emphasized that the increase in myopia cases in children is not only a matter of numbers, but also a long-term health risk that must be anticipated early on.

Our children have experienced a lot of minus enhancements due to their dominant visual lifestyle in close activities such as the use of gadgets and excessive digital screens. Outdoor activity that is exposed to sunlight is very important for preventing myopia," he said.

He also reminded the importance of routine eye examinations at least every six months, especially for school-age children.

Signs such as often mitigating the eyes, approaching television, or having difficulty seeing the whiteboard must be followed up immediately with a professional examination.

Unlike soft lenses (softlens), Ortho-K uses a semi-rigid contact lens made of oxygen seedling materials (permeable gases).

This type of material allows the eyes to continue to receive oxygen supply even though they are lensed during sleep, and is stiff enough to reshape the surface of the cinema.

Softlens can't press the Cornea to reshape. That's why we use a special (rigid) hard lens, but stay safe and comfortable to sleep with," said Dr. Tri

Orthokeratology bukan sekadar alat bantu penglihatan, tetapi juga merupakan investasi jangka panjang dalam kesehatan mata anak-anak.

Dengan pemakaian teratur, pemeriksaan berkala, dan perubahan gaya hidup yang mendukung kesehatan visual, terapi ini menawarkan harapan baru dalam menekan laju miopia sejak dini tanpa perlu tindakan invasif.

JEC Eye Hospitals and Clinics berharap, melalui edukasi publik yang konsisten, semakin banyak orangtua yang sadar akan pentingnya menjaga kesehatan mata anak sejak usia dini, sekaligus mempertimbangkan Ortho-K sebagai solusi praktis dan aman.

- https://voi.id/info-sehat/480376/ablasio-retina-adalah-penyebab-gejala-dan-faktor-faktor-yang-jadi-pemicunya

- https://voi.id/info-sehat/430864/5-cara-mengurangi-mata-minus-secara-alami

- https://voi.id/info-sehat/428901/3-masalah-kesehatan-mata-di-era-digital-dan-cara-mencegahnya

- https://voi.id/info-sehat/425693/apakah-rabun-jauh-pada-anak-bisa-sembuh

- https://voi.id/info-sehat/356508/prosedur-operasi-lasik

[/see_also]

Orthokeratology is not just a vision aid, but is also a long-term investment in the health of children's eyes.

With regular use, periodic checks, and lifestyle changes that support visual health, this therapy offers new hope in suppressing the rate of myopia from an early age without the need for invasive action.

JEC Eye Hospitals and Clinics hopes, through consistent public education, more and more parents are aware of the importance of maintaining the health of their children's eyes from an early age, as well as considering Ortho-K as a practical and safe solution.