What Is Ortho-K?

Orthokeratology (often called Ortho-K or corneal reshaping therapy) uses custom-designed contact lenses worn overnight to gently reshape the front surface of the eye. By morning, your child wakes up with clear, glasses-free daytime vision and the added benefit of a treatment proven to slow the progression of myopia.

Ortho-K is one of the most effective solutions for reducing eye elongation, the root cause of worsening nearsightedness.

How Ortho-K Works

While your child sleeps, Ortho-K lenses:

• Reshape the cornea in a controlled, reversible way
• Provide crisp, natural vision throughout the day
• Create an optical effect that slows axial/eye elongation
• Reduce how quickly the prescription increases year after year

The reshaping effect is temporary, so lenses must be worn nightly to maintain the results.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Ortho-K?

Ortho-K is an excellent choice for:

• Children ages 6 and up with progressing myopia
• Active kids who play sports or dislike wearing glasses
• Patients with rapidly changing prescriptions
• Families seeking a non-surgical, highly effective form of myopia control
• Teens who want freedom from glasses and daytime contacts

It’s especially popular with swimmers, athletes, and screen-heavy students.

Benefits of Ortho-K

• Clear daytime vision without glasses or contacts
• Clinically proven to slow myopia progression
• Ideal for sports, outdoor play, and active lifestyles
• No lenses worn during the day; less risk of irritation
• Fully reversible and non-surgical
• Safe and comfortable when properly fitted and monitored

What to Expect During an Ortho-K Visit

1. Comprehensive pediatric eye exam
2. Corneal mapping to design custom lenses
3. Prescription baseline
4. Lens fitting and training on insertion/removal
5. Follow-up visits for adjustments and monitoring
6. Ongoing growth tracking to measure effectiveness

Most children adapt quickly and notice clearer vision within the first few nights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ortho-K safe for children?
Yes. Ortho-K is safe, widely used worldwide, and FDA-approved for overnight wear when properly monitored.

How long does it take to work?
Most children achieve good functional vision in as little as 1–3 days, with full correction in 1–2 weeks.

Does Ortho-K hurt?
Lenses are comfortable while sleeping. Most children adapt quickly.

Is Ortho-K permanent?
No, vision returns to baseline if lenses are discontinued. This makes it fully reversible.

Our doctors have advanced training in pediatric myopia management and specialty contact lens fitting. We use state-of-the-art diagnostic technology, most importantly corneal topography, which maps the shape of the cornea in precise detail. This allows us to design and customize Ortho-K lenses that fit securely, reshape the eye effectively, and provide clear, comfortable daytime vision.
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