Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Our Services
Wake Up to Clearer Vision
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) is an advanced overnight contact lens treatment that gently reshapes the front surface of your eye while you sleep, allowing you to enjoy clear vision throughout the day without glasses or daytime contact lenses. It can also be used to help slow the progression of childhood myopia (short-sightedness).
Unlike laser eye surgery, Orthokeratology is completely non-surgical and reversible. If you stop wearing the lenses, your eyes will gradually return to their original shape and prescription.
What is Orthokeratology?
Orthokeratology uses specially designed rigid contact lenses that are worn overnight while you sleep. During the night, the lenses gently reshape the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye), allowing light to focus correctly on the retina.
When you wake up, you simply remove the lenses and enjoy clear vision throughout the day, without the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses.
Each Ortho-K lens is individually designed to match your eyes using advanced corneal mapping technology, ensuring a precise fit and optimal visual results.
Why Choose Ortho-K?
Orthokeratology offers a range of benefits for both children and adults.
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Wake up with clear vision every morning
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No glasses or daytime contact lenses
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Non-surgical and completely reversible
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Excellent for sport, swimming and active lifestyles
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Comfortable overnight wear
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Custom-designed specifically for your eyes
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Suitable for many children and adults
Who Can Benefit?
Orthokeratology is ideal for people who want freedom from glasses or daytime contact lenses, including:
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Children with progressing short-sightedness
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Adults wanting an alternative to laser eye surgery
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People who play contact or water sports
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Those working in dusty or dirty environments
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Some people who find daytime contact lenses uncomfortable
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Anyone wanting clear daytime vision without surgery
A comprehensive assessment will determine whether Ortho-K is the right treatment for your eyes.
What Can Ortho-K Correct?
Orthokeratology can successfully treat many common vision prescriptions, including:
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Myopia (short-sightedness)
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Hyperopia (long-sightedness)
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Astigmatism
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Some cases of presbyopia (difficulty focusing up close)
The range of correction possible varies between individuals and depends on your prescription, corneal shape and eye health.
How Ortho-K Helps Slow Childhood Myopia
For many families, Orthokeratology is about more than reducing dependence on glasses. Myopia develops when the eye grows too long, causing distant objects to appear blurry. Higher levels of myopia are associated with a greater risk of eye conditions such as retinal detachment, glaucoma and myopic macular degeneration later in life.
Research has shown that Ortho-K can slow the axial growth of the eye in children with myopia. The lenses alter how light is focused across the retina, which is thought to contribute to the myopia-control effect. Studies have reported meaningful reductions in axial elongation compared with standard single-vision correction, although the amount of benefit varies between children.
Starting myopia management early can help slow progression and may reduce the final level of myopia. While higher myopia is linked with greater long-term eye-health risks, there is not yet direct evidence that myopia-control treatment itself prevents those later conditions.
Is Ortho-K Safe?
When professionally fitted and worn correctly, Ortho-K is generally considered safe. Like all contact lens wear, there is a small risk of complications, including eye infection, which is why good lens hygiene and regular follow-up appointments are important.
Your Ortho-K Journey
From your initial assessment to ongoing care, we'll guide you through every step of your Orthokeratology journey to ensure your treatment is comfortable, effective and tailored to your eyes.
Discover Whether Ortho-K Is Right for You
Whether you're looking for freedom from glasses or hoping to slow your child's myopia progression, Orthokeratology could be the solution you've been after.
Our experienced optometrists will assess your eyes, discuss your lifestyle and vision goals, and determine whether Ortho-K is the best treatment option for you.
Have questions? We're here to help
Explore answers to common questions about Ortho-K, benefits, safety, and results.
Many people notice clearer vision after just one night of wear. Most prescriptions stabilise within one to two weeks, although stronger prescriptions can take a little longer.
Some people with dyslexia may also experience visual stress symptoms, such as glare, words appearing to move, or discomfort when reading. In these cases, tinted lenses may help improve visual comfort, but they do not treat dyslexia itself.
Initially, yes. Once your vision has stabilised, some people can maintain clear vision by wearing their lenses every second night, although many patients continue nightly wear for the best results.
No. The effects are temporary. If you stop wearing the lenses, your cornea gradually returns to its original shape and your previous prescription returns.
With proper care, Ortho-K lenses typically last 2–3 years. They may need replacing sooner if your prescription changes or the lenses become damaged. Regular follow-up appointments allow us to monitor both your eye health and the condition of your lenses.
Missing an occasional night isn't usually a problem. Your vision may be slightly blurrier the following day as your cornea gradually returns to its natural shape. Simply resume wearing your lenses the next night to maintain your results.
Yes. Most people who wear glasses or soft contact lenses can be assessed for Orthokeratology. During your consultation, we'll evaluate your prescription, corneal shape and overall eye health to determine whether Ortho-K is a suitable option for you.