FAQ AND LINKS

FAQ

What forms of payment does your website accept and is my information secure?

We accept all major forms of credit (MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover) for orders placed on our web site.  Each transaction is handled through our secure 128-bit encrypted server. 

What is the delivery time for my lenses?

In-stock orders will usually be available to be picked up at the office within 3 business days.  It may take a few more days for lenses to be shipped to your home.  If you are running low on lenses, please let us know so that we can provide trial lenses at no charge while you’re waiting to receive your order.

How long can you store a contact lens after it has been removed from its package?

This varies according to the cleaning and disinfection routine that you use before storing the lens.  For specific details, please call to speak with Dr Cusner, 781-821-1225.

How often should contact lenses be changed?

The recommended life of contact lenses varies depending on the type of lenses, 1-day, 1-month, or longer.  With any contact lens, you should follow the prescribed wear and care instructions from your eye doctor.

I’ve never heard of Orthokeratology. When was it invented?

Orthokeratology (also known as Ortho-k) was first attempted in China in the 1970’s, and after many improvements in plastics, manufacturing, and cleaning systems, modern Ortho-k was FDA-approved in the early 2000’s.

I used to wear hard contacts or gas permeable contacts. They weren’t very comfortable. How can I possibly sleep with these lenses on my eyes all night?

The lenses used for Ortho-k are very comfortable because they fit snugly on the eye.  Since they are worn while sleeping, your eyelids will not be rubbing up and down on them and therefore they will be barely noticeable after a few minutes of use.  After working with hundreds of Ortho-k patients, none of Dr Cusner’s patients has yet discontinued the program due to uncomfortable contacts.

Are there age limits for Ortho-k?

The youngest patient we’ve worked with was 6 years old.  Her mother worked with her nightly to insert the lenses and after a few months, this youngster was able to insert and remove the lenses herself with supervision.   We have a patient who is a retiree and loves the freedom that Ortho-k gives him.  He is in his early 70’s and has one eye corrected for distance vision and the other for reading.   He golfs, plays poker, reads, swims, naps, exercises, and skis all without glasses or daytime contacts!

Can I see while wearing Ortho-k lenses? Will I still need glasses if I use Ortho-k lenses?

Yes, you will see perfectly while wearing the lenses, so if you get up in the middle of the night, you will be able to see.  Keep in mind that it is not recommended to wear the lenses while awake for more than a few minutes.  As far as glasses, you won’t need them once you start the Ortho-k program unless you use glasses for reading or if you skip a night of wear.   It’s like LASIK without surgery!

Are there any side effects of Ortho-k? What are the dangers?

Potential problems with Ortho-k are related to cleaning and fitting issues.  If you are diligent about cleaning the lenses in precisely the way you are told to do so, there will probably be no side effects at all.  If there is a problem with cleaning or fitting, it is possible for you to develop a corneal infection or abrasion.  Both of these conditions can be treated and it is very unlikely that once treated, any lasting side effects will occur.  Dr Cusner is very careful about proper fitting techniques and will work to make sure that your lenses are not too tight or too loose, thereby providing you with perfect, comfortable vision all of your waking hours.

What if I change my mind about doing Ortho-k? Is there a refund policy?

Yes.  You will not be charged for any amount beyond the non-refundable deposit if you cancel your treatment within the first 2 weeks of your first night of wear.  Simply return the lenses and you will not owe additional money. 

How do the new soft lenses for myopia control and orthokeratology work? Does my child still need glasses if they use the soft lenses?

A:  The soft lenses (which are available as one-day or monthly lenses) work by providing a magnifying lens to the periphery of the visual field, reducing the eye’s stimulus for growth.  The theory behind these lenses is the same as that of the orthokeratology lenses, but the ortho-k lenses gently reshape your corneas overnight so the light you receive reduces the eye’s stimulus for growth.  Ortho-k patients don’t need to wear glasses (see the question above) but patients who use soft lenses for myopia control still need to use glasses when they’re not wearing these special contacts.

How many hours will I be able to see well after my first night of Ortho-k?

Depending on your original prescription, you will be able to see 20/20 or very close to that as soon as you remove the lenses after your first night of wear.  This usually lasts for approximately 6 hours on the first day.  Each night of use will provide you with even better vision for more of the day.  Most people can see well enough that they never need their glasses again!

I’m having trouble getting the lenses into my child’s eyes. What should I do?

Make sure that your hands are washed carefully with soap, rinsed thoroughly, and dried completely with a lint-free towel or Bounty paper towel.  Keep the child’s hair out of his eye area when inserting the lenses. and make sure that his face is clean.  Have the child seated or standing, depending on your height, and place the lens filled with solution on the index finger of the same hand as the eye you’re working with.  Use the thumb of the opposite hand to gently but firmly lift the child’s upper lid from the eyelash base.  Have the child lower his chin so that you can maintain the solution in the bowl of the lens.  Have the child stare at an object directly in front of him and then place the lens directly on the colored part of the eye.  If after 10-15 minutes of trying with one eye, please take a break and then try again.  You can also have the child put the lens on their clean finger while you hold their upper lid open.  Here’s a great video which can also be helpful http://youtube.com/watch?v=HfagMAUnbPE&ab_channel=InsightVisionCenterOptometry.