Ortho-K

Ortho-K (short for Orthokeratology) is a non-surgical treatment that uses special contact lenses worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea and improve vision during the day—no glasses or daytime contacts needed!

Ortho-K is great for kids, teens, or adults with mild to moderate nearsightedness (myopia), especially those looking for an alternative to glasses, daytime contacts, or LASIK.

You wear specially designed lenses while you sleep. These lenses gently reshape the surface of your eyes overnight, so when you wake up and remove them, you can see clearly all day long.

Yes! Ortho-K is FDA-approved and has been used safely for decades both in the US and around the world!  As with any contact lens, proper hygiene and regular check-ups are important to avoid infections or complications.

Ortho-K corneal retainer lenses are well tolerated because they are worn while eyes are closed and the patient is asleep.  After insertion, some lense awareness is expecteed, but diminishes over time.  Our patients love the comfort of being lens-free during the day!

The vision correction typically lasts about a day, which is why Ortho-K lenses need to be worn every night. Some people can skip a night occasionally and still see well the next day.

Yes! One of the big benefits of Ortho-K, especially for kids and teens, is that it can help slow down the worsening of nearsightedness over time.

It might feel a little strange at first, but most people get used to it quickly. Since your eyes are closed while sleeping, you usually don’t feel the lenses much at all.

Many people notice clearer vision after just one night!  For some, it may take a few days to a couple of weeks to achieve the best vision.  The time it takes can depend on the amount of treatment you need.  Our doctors can give you the best answer when you come in for a consultation.

You’ll need to clean and disinfect your ortho-k retainer lenses each day—similar to regular contact lenses. We’ll teach you everything you need to know to keep your lenses and eyes healthy.  Basic rulse apply:  Fresh solution every day, clean hands, clean case.  

Absolutely. If you stop wearing the lenses, your corneas will gradually return to their natural shape, and your original prescription will come back. It’s totally reversible.

Great point! The reversibility is actually a big plus—it gives you flexibility. Kids and teens may outgrow their prescriptions or want LASIK in the future, and adults might change jobs, routines, or just decide to go a different route. Ortho-K gives you freedom without locking you into a permanent change.

Absolutely! While Ortho-K is popular for kids and teens (especially to slow myopia progression), adults love it too—especially those who want clear vision without glasses, contacts, or surgery. Whether you’re active, outdoorsy, or just want a glasses-free lifestyle, Ortho-K might be a great fit.

It depends! Around age 40, many people start to experience presbyopia—the natural loss of near vision. While Ortho-K is primarily used to correct distance vision, we’ve recently had success helping adults in their 40s and 50s by designing special ‘multifocal’ Ortho-K treatments that also support near vision.

We can also consider creative options (like monovision or reading glasses) to help with close-up tasks. We’ll help you find the right setup for your lifestyle.  As always, a consultation will help us suggest what’s best for you and your individual circumstance!