Clear vision throughout the day without the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses
How does Ortho-K work?
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K), is a specially designed rigid gas permeable contact lens that is worn overnight. While your eye is closed, your tears help mould the front surface of the eye, called the cornea, while you sleep. Upon waking your vision will remain clear for the day. This procedure is completely reversible, so can be stopped anytime and the cornea will return to its original shape.
What are the benefits or Ortho-K?
- Freedom from glasses or daytime contact lenses
- Clear vision for sporting activities such as swimming, rugby, squash or hockey
- No surgical intervention required
- Completely reversible
- Slows down the progression of myopia (short-sightedness) in children and teenagers
Who would benefit from Ortho-K?
Moderate amounts of myopia and astigmatism can be corrected with orthokeratology. There is no age restriction, however the use of Ortho-K lenses is becoming increasingly popular for children and teenagers to slow the progression of myopia.
What is involved in the fitting of Ortho-K?
To determine if your eyes are suitable to wear Ortho-K lenses one of our Optometrists will measure your prescription and check the front surface of your eye. If deemed suitable Ortho-K lenses will be designed to suit your prescription and eye curvature.
Your Optometrist will go through how to insert, remove, and manage these contact lenses safely and confidently. You will be given the lenses to wear overnight and an assessment will be conducted the following morning. Most people will find an increase in clarity of their vision overnight, however others can take longer. This depends both on your prescription and flexibility of the cornea. You will continue to wear the contact lenses each night.
Regular reviews will be arranged at one week, one month, three months then every six months. After wearing the contact lenses for a few months some people find they can skip a night or two.
Are Ortho-K lenses safe?
There is sufficient evidence to support Ortho-K as a safe option for the correction and retardation of myopia.
As with all types of contact lenses hand hygiene, appropriate cleaning and handling of your lenses plus regular checks with your Optometrist are important to reduce the risk of eye infections.