Ortho-k ready for success, but cost too high, says GlobalData

London-Orthokeratology has re-emerged as a treatment for myopia and hyperopia, according to Joseph Gregory, an analyst with research and consulting firm GlobalData. Gregory added that, while the technology provides an intermediate solution between existing interventions, its high price tag may hinder its adoption in the corrective vision market.

Developed in the 1960s, orthokeratology uses rigid contact lenses that are worn at night to reshape the cornea and temporarily reduce a person’s refractive error. These contact lenses cost approximately $700, a significantly higher price than refractive surgery or soft contact lenses.

“While orthokeratology provides an intermediate solution between invasive and non-invasive interventions, the price of the lenses needs to be substantially lower than it is currently, especially with the corrective vision market being sensitive to economic conditions and consumer confidence,” Gregory said.

"LASIK surgery is a prime example of this. Prior to the most recent recession, there were U.S. procedure volumes of 1.4 million in 2007. Three years later, that figure decreased to 800,000 and it has not recovered since,” he added.