In recent years there has been a resurgence in interest in orthokeratology. This clinical procedure involves the refractive reshaping of the cornea through overnight wear of a gas permeable contact lens.

Optometrist Dr Michael Lipson, who recently retired from many years of clinical practice as an assistant professor at the University of Michigan’s ophthalmology and visual science department, has seen a large number of orthokeratology patients. At his core, he has always been an educator and this offering marks part of what has been a stellar career.

This book is an excellent guide for those new or relatively new to orthokeratology. It offers simple, frank advice with good evidence. As with other texts written on the subject, it has the clinician in mind, offering good explanations of the common outcomes of orthokeratology, patient expectations and practice management. For me, the chapters most significant to anyone interested in gaining more experience in this subspecialty are: Initial Fitting, Topography, Follow-Up Care and Complications/Troubleshooting.

After reading this book, I tried to place myself in the shoes of someone new to this area of contact lens subspecialty. I concluded that I desperately wished something like this was around when I first started getting into orthokeratology. It would have saved me a number of remakes and errors that I have only learnt through experience. The clinical pearl that I will be looking to utilise in my practice is the ortho-k quality of life questionnaire which Michael also developed.

The book is available free of charge, thanks in part to an unrestricted educational grant from Bausch and Lomb Health. Dr Michael Lipson has established a website where any practitioner can access to a PDF version at www.contemporaryorthokeratology.com. Some physical copies are also available. If you are based in New Zealand and would like a copy, please feel free to contact me and we will arrange a supply to be sent to New Zealand. I hope any practitioner who wishes to learn more about this subject will use this valuable resource.

It is also worthy to note that there are two orthokeratology conferences coming up. The first is Vision by Design in Bellevue Washington in April, where there will be copies and a book signing by Dr Michael Lipson; and the second is the Orthokeratology Society of Oceania’s biennial congress on the Gold Coast on 6/6/2020 (the most memorable congress date in our lifetimes).

Jagrut Lallu holds a master’s degree in specialty contact lenses, including hyperopic orthokeratology, and is a sought-after international speaker. He has a special interest in the irregular cornea, disease and ortho-k and is keen to help others become more passionate about contact lenses.