Orthokeratology (Ortho K)

The recommendation is to replace your Ortho-K lenses every one and a half to two years, depending on their condition. Timely replacement of the lenses maximises the quality of the Ortho-K reshaping, as wear and tear will compromise its effect over time. Regular replacement decreases the chance of infection or inflammatory events from a scratched or dirty lens. You should bring your Ortho-K lenses to every appointment to allow your optometrist to check their condition under the microscope.

The cost of the ortho-K lenses and the ortho-K program depends on the complexity of your prescription and your eye’s parameters. This is established at your initial consultation. Your case will fall into one of the following programs, as advised by your optometrist:

• Ortho-K Fitting Program: $2439 (2 x $595 standard ortho-K lenses & $1249 program)
• Single Eye Ortho-K Fitting Program: $1844 (1 x 595 standard ortho-K lenses & $1249 program)

Your initial eye exam is, however, bulk-billed and will include a discussion about your suitability. Some health funds do contribute towards Ortho-K. Please ask one of our staff members in-store to confirm whether you are covered. To maintain good eye health (minimise infections) and optimal vision, lenses will require replacing every 1.5 years (these can again be claimed through private health insurance).

There is no specific age restriction for ortho-k. Children as young as five have successfully and safely received ortho-k corneal reshaping. Ortho-k is scientifically proven to reduce or halt the progression of myopia, a process called myopia control, and is one of the most popular methods of myopia control vision correction in children and teenagers.

No. If you stop wearing the Ortho-K lenses, your vision will return to its original state within one to four weeks. For best results, try to achieve a minimum of 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night with the lenses in.

Yes, while the back surface of the lens reshapes your eye, the front surface of the lens provides clear optics for your vision. One of the great features of Ortho-K is that your vision will always be clear whether the lenses are in or out of the eye. That means if you get up at night, you will still be able to see. We do not recommend wearing your Ortho-K lenses during the day as this may compromise corneal health and vision over time.

You will need to wear your lenses every night during the initial period of therapy to ensure clear vision during the day. As the correction stabilises, some people with low prescriptions may still get great daytime vision by wearing the lenses only every second night. However, this is not guaranteed. Patients requiring higher prescription correction with Ortho-K will most likely need to wear the lenses every night for optimum vision.

Most patients have rapid improvement in the first few days of therapy. Usually, after the first night of wear, 50% of the required correction is achieved. Optimum, stable vision for most will require between 10-14 days of treatment, depending on the prescription.

The myopia control effect of ortho-k lenses will last as long as you use them. There is no research or anecdotal reports of patients ‘rebounding’ after ceasing Ortho-K contact lenses. It’s expected that patients who start Ortho-K contact lens wear for myopia control continue to use these until their early twenties, when myopia tends to stabilise. The decision to stop Ortho-K should be made with your optometrist, and prescription and eye length should be closely monitored for possible regression. In most cases, patients are so happy with their Ortho-K lenses that they continue to wear them well into adulthood.