Orthokeratology

What is Orthokeratology?

Want clear vision during the day without glasses? Orthokeratology (or OrthoK) is a non-surgical, reversible vision correction method using specially designed contact lenses that gently reshape the front surface of the eye (the cornea) while you sleep. These lenses are removed each morning, leaving you with clear vision during the day—without the need for glasses or contact lenses.

 

Who is OrthoK suitable for? 

Vision freedom for active lives—and growing eyes

OrthoK is a great option for people who want clear daytime vision without relying on glasses or daytime contact lenses. It’s especially ideal for:

  • Children and teens with progressing myopia
  • People who play contact or water sports
  • Adults working in dusty or dry environments
  • Anyone who experiences dry or irritated eyes with soft contact lenses
  • People who want freedom from glasses but are not ready for laser surgery yet... it's completely reversible so going back to glasses or having laser surgery is still a future option

Because OrthoK lenses are only worn while sleeping, there’s no risk of losing a lens during sport or school—and no need to juggle glasses during the day. That’s one reason why OrthoK is one of the most effective and popular options for slowing myopia progression in children.

To be suitable for OrthoK, your eyes must be in good health. Our optometrists will assess your prescription, corneal shape, lifestyle, and eye health to determine if OrthoK is the right choice for you or your child.

 

How does OrthoK work?  

Clear vision while you sleep

Orthokeratology lenses gently reshape the front surface of your eye—the cornea—overnight. While you sleep, the lens uses gentle hydraulic forces created by your tear film to redistribute corneal cells into a new shape. 

Think of OrthoK like wearing a ring on your finger. After wearing a ring for a long period of time the tissue under your skin will have adjusted to the shape of the ring. However, if you take your ring off again after a while the skin returns to normal - exactly how it was previously.  

Immediate results, reversible changes

Most people notice clearer vision after just one night of lens wear, with significant improvement typically achieved within the first week. For higher prescriptions (e.g. over -5.00D), it may take up to 2–4 weeks for vision to fully stabilise. Importantly, OrthoK does not cause any permanent changes to your eyes. If you stop wearing your lenses, your vision will gradually return to its original prescription over the course of a few days to weeks. 

Comfort and safety

Although OrthoK lenses are firm to the touch, most patients find them very comfortable, especially since they’re worn with your eyes closed during sleep. Like all contact lenses, there is a small risk of infection or allergy, but this is minimised with proper care and hygiene, plus regular reviews with your optometrist.

What to expect with an OrthoK  Fitting

Your OrthoK journey is guided step-by-step by your optometrist to ensure safe, comfortable, and effective treatment. Your first appointment will typically feel like a regular eye exam but with more focus paid to the shape of your eyes, from there here’s how your appointments typically unfold:

Lens Collection & Teach Appointment

At this appointment, your OrthoK lenses will be fitted and checked on your eyes. We’ll carefully assess how they sit on your cornea and make sure the design matches your unique eye shape. You’ll also be taught how to safely insert, remove, clean, and care for your lenses.

You’ll begin wearing your OrthoK lenses that night—just before bed. It’s normal to notice a slight sensation with your eyes open at first. This usually settles quickly, and most patients report little to no discomfort once their eyes are closed.

First Morning Review

After your very first night of lens wear, you’ll come back for an early morning check. Most people notice their vision is already starting to improve—up to 50% of the full correction can occur overnight.

One-Week Review

By this point, many patients are seeing clearly throughout the day. For higher prescriptions, full correction may take up to 2–3 weeks. If needed, we can adjust the lens design and order a revised lens—this is covered under the initial fitting program.

One-Month Review

At the one-month stage, your treatment should be close to stable. We’ll ensure everything is on track and make any final refinements to your care or lens use. From here, we’ll transition to less frequent follow-ups.

How Are OrthoK Lenses Designed? 

Precision, customised to you

Every OrthoK lens at Illume is fully custom-designed to match your eye’s unique shape and prescription. At your initial consultation, we use a specialised instrument called a corneal topographer to map the surface of your eyes in incredible detail. We then use fitting calculators and lens design software to choose the best lens for your eye. It’s this combination of technology and expertise that gives us the best chance of delivering safe, stable, and successful results with OrthoK.

 

Ongoing Care

After your six-month program is complete, we recommend regular follow-ups every six months to ensure your lenses are in good condition, your eyes are healthy and your vision remains stable. 

We also recommend replacing your OrthoK lenses annually to maintain the best possible performance and safety.
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Frequently asked questions about Contact Lenses

Do I need a contact lens fitting if I already know my glasses prescription?

Yes. Glasses prescriptions and contact lens prescriptions are different. A contact lens fitting assesses:

  • Lens curvature and siameter
  • Eye surface health
  • Tear film stability
  • Lens movement and fit
  • Oxygen requirements

Ordering lenses without professional fitting can increase the risk of discomfort and complications.
What happens during a contact lens fitting?

A comprehensive contact lens assessment includes:

  • Prescription testing
  • Corneal measurements
  • Tear film and dry eye assessment
  • Lifestyle discussion
  • Lens trial fitting
  • Insertion and removal training
  • Aftercare planning

Specialty lenses such as OrthoK or scleral lenses may require advanced imaging and additional follow-up visits.

You can find out more here
How often should contact lenses be checked?

Even if your lenses feel comfortable, regular contact lens reviews are important to monitor:

  • Eye health
  • Corneal oxygenation
  • Tear film quality
  • Lens fit
  • Prescription changes and Vision
  • Early complications

Most patients benefit from annual reviews, though some specialty lens patients require more frequent monitoring.
Are contact lenses safe?

Yes — contact lenses are very safe when fitted properly and worn as advised by your optometrist. Modern contact lenses are highly breathable and designed for comfort and eye health.

The biggest risks usually come from poor hygiene, overwearing lenses, sleeping in lenses not designed for overnight wear, or using tap water with lenses.

Proper fitting, regular reviews, and good lens care dramatically reduce complications.
Can I wear contact lenses if I have dry eyes?

Often, yes. Many people assume dry eye means they can’t wear contact lenses, but modern lens materials and personalised management can make contact lenses comfortable again.

At Illume Eye Care, we assess:

  • Tear quality and tear stability
  • Meibomian gland function
  • Inflammation and blepharitis
  • Digital eye strain
  • Lens material compatibility

For many patients, daily disposable lenses, silicone hydrogel lenses, scleral lenses, or orthokeratology lenses may actually improve comfort compared with standard soft lenses.
What are the best contact lenses for dry eyes?

There is no single “best” contact lens for dry eyes — the right option depends on your eyes, tear film, lifestyle, and prescription.

Some patients do best with:

  • Daily disposable lenses
  • Silicone hydrogel lenses
  • Lower water content lenses
  • Specialty scleral lenses
  • Orthokeratology lenses

Comfort is influenced by lens fit, lens design, blinking patterns, environment, and eyelid health — not just the lens brand alone.
Can children wear contact lenses?

Absolutely. Many children successfully wear contact lenses for sport, confidence, convenience, and myopia management.

Children are often excellent contact lens wearers because they:

  • Follow routines well
  • Adapt quickly
  • Enjoy freedom from glasses
  • Can benefit from myopia control technologies

At Illume Eye Care, we commonly fit children with:

  • Myopia management soft lenses
  • Orthokeratology (OrthoK)
  • Daily disposable lenses for sport and activities
What is Orthokeratology (OrthoK)?

Orthokeratology, or OrthoK, uses specially designed overnight contact lenses to gently reshape the front surface of the eye while you sleep.The lenses are removed in the morning, allowing clear daytime vision without glasses or contact lenses.

While suitable for adults, OrthoK is also one of the most evidence-supported methods for slowing childhood myopia progression.

You can read more on OrthoK here
Is OrthoK safe?

Yes — when properly fitted and monitored, OrthoK has a strong safety profile comparable to many reusable soft contact lenses.

Good hygiene and regular follow-up care are essential. 

We provide detailed training on:

  • Lens insertion and removal
  • Cleaning and disinfection
  • Safe overnight wear
  • Recognising warning signs of complications
Can contact lenses slow myopia in children?

Yes. Certain contact lenses are specifically designed to help slow the progression of short-sightedness (myopia) in children.

These include:

  • Orthokeratology lenses
  • Multifocal soft contact lenses
  • Specialty myopia control lens designs including MiSight and Acuvue Abiliti

Slowing myopia progression can help reduce the long-term risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, myopic maculopathy, and other eye disease later in life.

You can read more about Myopia Management here
Can I wear contact lenses with astigmatism?

Yes. Modern toric contact lenses can successfully correct most levels of astigmatism and provide excellent vision. 

There are soft toric lenses including daily disposables, rigid lenses, hybrid lenses, and specialty lens designs available depending on your prescription and eye shape.
Can I wear contact lenses if I need reading glasses?

Yes. Multifocal contact lenses can help correct both distance and near vision, reducing the need for reading glasses.

Options may include:

  • Multifocal soft lenses
  • Monovision
  • Multifocal rigid lenses
  • Multifocal OrthoK in some cases

Many patients in their 40s, 50s, and beyond continue wearing contact lenses very successfully.

You can read more about multifocal contact lenses here
Are daily disposable lenses better?

For many patients, daily disposable lenses are the healthiest and most convenient option because you start with a fresh sterile lens each day.

Benefits may include:

  • Superior comfort
  • Reduced allergy symptoms
  • Reduced deposit build-up
  • Lower infection risk
  • No cleaning required
  • Ideal for occasional wear or travel

However, reusable lenses can still be excellent options depending on prescription, dry eye status, and lifestyle.
Can I sleep in my contact lenses?

Only if specifically advised by your optometrist.

Most standard soft contact lenses should be removed before sleep.

Sleeping in lenses increases the risk of infection and inflammation. 

Orthokeratology lenses are specifically designed for overnight wear and are managed differently.
Why do my contact lenses become uncomfortable by the end of the day?

This is extremely common and can happen for many reasons, including:

  • Dry eye disease
  • Meibomian gland dysfunction
  • Digital eye strain
  • Poor blinking
  • Allergies
  • Lens deposits
  • Inappropriate lens material
  • Incorrect fit

Many people assume discomfort is “normal,” but often there are solutions available.
What should I do if my contact lenses suddenly become uncomfortable?

Remove the lenses and avoid wearing them again until your eyes have been assessed. Key warning signs of a problem include:

  • Pain
  • Redness
  • Light sensitivity
  • Discharge
  • Sudden blurred vision
  • Excessive watering

These symptoms can indicate infection or inflammation and should be reviewed promptly.
Can contact lenses damage my eyes?

Healthy contact lens wear should not damage your eyes when lenses are:

  • Properly fitted
  • Worn correctly
  • Replaced as directed
  • Reviewed regularly

Problems are more likely when lenses are overworn, slept in, poorly cleaned, purchased without professional fitting or with an expired prescription, or worn despite discomfort.
Can I wear contact lenses while using screens all day?

Yes, but screen use can worsen dryness and contact lens discomfort because we blink less while concentrating on screens. Helpful strategies include:

  • Conscious blinking
  • Screen breaks
  • Preservative-free lubricating drops
  • Optimising screen height
  • Managing dry eye disease
  • Choosing appropriate lens materials

Read more on Digital Eye Strain here
Can I swim or shower in contact lenses?

It is best to avoid water exposure while wearing contact lenses. Tap water, pools, spas, lakes, and showers can expose lenses to microorganisms including Acanthamoeba, a rare but serious eye infection risk.
What specialty contact lenses does Illume Eye Care offer?

At Illume Eye Care, we provide a wide range of contact lens options including:

  • Soft contact lenses
  • Daily disposable lenses
  • Multifocal lenses
  • Toric lenses for astigmatism
  • Orthokeratology (OrthoK)
  • Myopia management lenses
  • Rigid gas permeable lenses
  • Keratoconus and irregular cornea lenses
  • Dry eye-friendly specialty lenses

We combine advanced diagnostics with personalised fitting to help patients achieve healthier, more comfortable vision.

Illume Eye Care in Ponsonby, Auckland provides expert contact lens fitting for children, adults, dry eye patients, and complex prescriptions.

Whether you’re completely new to contact lenses or looking for more comfortable options, our team can help you find the right solution for your eyes, lifestyle, and long-term eye health.