Ortho K

See Clearly Without Glasses!

Orthokeratology or OrthoK is a non-surgical procedure that eliminates the need for glasses or contact lenses during the day. With OrthoK you wear specially designed lenses at night while sleeping. These lenses gently change the shape of your eye so that you can see clearly, with your natural vision, during the day.

This safe and effective technique is mainly used to correct short–sightedness (myopia), long – sightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism and presbyopia (blurred near vision). It is an alternative to laser surgery if you are not comfortable with that option.

How Does It Work?

When a person is short-sighted (myopic) if long-sighted (hyperopic), it may be because the shape of the eye is too long, too short or the front surface of the eye is out of shape so that images do not focus on the back of the eye (the retina). Normally we fix this by refocusing images with spectacles or contact lenses. OrthoK refocuses images sent to the retina by changing the shape of the front surface (cornea) of the eye.

​OrthoK lenses are special custom-made contact lenses. To make an OrthoK lens we first map the surface of your eye, using a high-tech instrument known as a topographer. Your eye care practitioner uses this information along with your prescription to design a customised lens for YOUR eye and its unique vision problems.

OrthoK lenses are manufactured on a high-speed computer-controlled lathe. They are made of materials that have high oxygen permeability that allow your eyes to ‘breathe’ overnight while you sleep, maintaining eye health. The back surface of the lens has a number of specialised curves that move the tear film under your lens and reshape the front surface of your eye while you sleep. The result after waking and removing your lenses is usually clear, sharp vision.

Who is suitable for Ortho K?

The following is a list of good candidates for OrthoK:

  • Those unable to wear contact lenses due to allergies and dry eye
  • Those interested in LASIK but are not quite ready
  • Children whose myopia (short-sightedness) is getting progressively worse
  • Mild to high myopia (Short-sighted)
  • Mild to moderate hyperopia (Long-sighted)
  • Presbyopia (Age related long-sightedness)
  • Active people who do not want the inconvenience of glasses or contact lenses when participating in sports

How Can I Get OrthoK?

First you need to visit our optometrist and get a full vision examination to determine if OrthoK is able to help your particular problem.

If we think that OrthoK can help, we will do some more testing to look at the shape and function of your eye, then discuss your options. If you decide to go ahead, we will get a custom-made lens for each eye and instruct you about how to use them for the best results.