Orthokeratology (or Ortho-K, OK lenses) is the use of speciality contact lenses worn mainly overnight to temporarily reshape the front surface of your eye (the cornea) so you can see without glasses or contact lenses in the daytime. It is a non-surgical method of vision correction and is often compared to dental braces in the way they work. It is suitable for use for both children (particularly for myopia control đź”—) and adults.
An instrument called a corneal topographer maps out the front surface of your eye and a custom contact lens (Ortho-K lens) is then made for you to be worn overnight. These contact lenses are rigid with high oxygen permeability, making them safe to sleep in. They work to flatten the centre of your cornea and correct your vision overnight, allowing you to see clearly during the daytime without the need for other vision correctors like glasses.Â
Ortho-K lenses can benefit people who:
- Want an alternative to laser surgery
- Have an active lifestyle
- Can’t tolerate soft contact lenses due to dry eye
- Want to be free from glasses or contact lenses during the day.
- Are younger patients with short-sightedness (myopia đź”—) as it has shown to slow down myopia progression, and all the contact lens handling and wear is done at home.
Interested? Book a consultation with us to see if it’s right for you.
Your optometrist will need to see you for a few reviews after handing over your first pair of Ortho-K lenses, these are scheduled to be after:
- 1 night (come in wearing the Ortho-K lenses)
- 1 week (come in with Ortho-K lenses already removed)
- 1 month (come in with Ortho-K lenses already removed)
- 3 months (come in with Ortho-K lenses already removed)
- 6 months (come in with Ortho-K lenses already removed)
- 12 months (come in with Ortho-K lenses already removed)
The appointments within the first month are to make sure the Ortho-K lens is on track to fit well and give clear vision. While vision should be noticeably clearer after the first night of wear, it generally takes up to 1 week of consistent night wear to achieve the targeted result, and even longer if you have a higher prescription.
Occasionally, an adjustment of the Ortho-K lens may be needed at the 1-month mark for further optimization.
Initially, the Ortho-K lens may feel uncomfortable, but your eyes will adapt to them over time (like breaking in a shoe). Most of the discomfort happens when awake, due to blinking, but as Ortho-K lenses are made to be worn when sleeping, this discomfort should be minimal.
- 2 Ortho-K lenses (one for the right eye and one for the left eye)
- Hydrogen peroxide contact lens solution and case (eg: Oxysept/AoSept)
- Multipurpose contact lens solution (eg: Acuvue RevitaLens / Optifree)
- Non-preserved artificial tears (eg: HyloForte / Systane Ultra minims)
- Contact lens removal plunger
- Gas permeable contact lens protein cleaner (eg: Menicon Progent / Boston One Step Liquid Enzymatic Cleaner)
For a demonstration, Watch the video below.
1. Make sure you have a clean table and place a large towel over it so if the contact lens falls, it gets caught easily on the towel. Then place a flat mirror over the towel so you are looking down at it.
2. Wash both hands with soap and dry with paper towels.
3. Remove Ortho-K lenses from the contact lens case, making sure it has been soaking for at least 6 hours. Rinse with multipurpose contact lens solution.
4. Place the Ortho-K lens on your pointer finger of your dominant hand, making sure that finger is completely dry and then place a drop of non-preserved artificial tears onto the inside of the contact lens for cushioning and comfort.
5. Use the pointer or middle finger of your free hand to lift up your upper eyelid, and the middle finger of your dominant hand to lower the bottom eyelid. Slowly place the contact lens on the centre of your eye while looking down at the mirror on your table, making sure to avoid any eyelashes or eyelids. Once the contact lens is on your eye, close your eyes slowly.
6. If the contact lens falls on the ground or the table, rinse it again with the multipurpose contact lens solution before trying again.
7. Dispose of the contact lens solution in the contact lens case and let the case air dry.
For a demonstration, Watch the video below.
1. Make sure you have a clean table and a standing mirror on it. If you are removing your lenses over a sink, make sure you plug the drain or cover it with a paper towel so the Ortho-K lens don’t accidently fall in.
2. Wash your hands with soap and pat dry with a paper towel.
3. Rub your eyelids gently and put a non-preserved artificial tear in both eyes to loosen the lens.
Plunger Method
1. Fix the plunger onto the bottom part of the contact lens at the 6 o’clock position while also applying gentle pressure to create a suction and then slowly move the plunger away from your eye. The Ortho-K lens should be on the plunger now.
2. Use your fingernail to gently remove the suction from the plunger and the lens – don’t pull it off directly as it can crack the lens.
Fingertip method
1. Place one pointer finger of one hand over the top eyelid, and the pointer finger of the other hand onto the bottom eyelid, and then gently manipulate the eyelids so they catch on the bottom edge of the Ortho-K lens to flick it out. Make sure your fingertips are at the edge of the eyelid, otherwise if they are too far, the eyelids will curl out and won’t be able to catch the edge of the Ortho-K lens.
2. Put the lenses into the contact lens container in its corresponding R and L chamber and then fill it up with the hydrogen peroxide contact lens solution as well as the neutralizing tablet (if it comes with one). Don’t touch the contact lens for at least 6 hours and the hydrogen peroxide solution will change to saline after that. If you need to handle your Ortho-K lens before the 6 hours, make sure you give it a good rinse with the multipurpose contact lens solution. Do not in any instance, place a contact lens in your eye before the 6 hours as this will be extremely painful.
3. Rinse the tip of your plunger with the multipurpose contact lens solution and let it air dry.
Ortho-K lenses are like retainers for your teeth, If you stop using them, your eyes will eventually (within 1-4 weeks) return to their original shape and vision condition.
Therefore, consistent nightly use of your Ortho-K lenses is needed to maintain corrected vision during the daytime and prevent myopia progression.
