Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
At Optometrist Parramatta
Correct your eyes while you sleep with Ortho-K.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) is a safe, reversible, and non-surgical treatment designed to correct your vision while you sleep. This innovative approach is suitable for a wide range of people, including children and young adults, and can be particularly effective in managing progressive myopia in younger patients.
How Does Ortho-K Work?
Many common vision issues, such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism, are caused by the eye being too long, too short, or misshapen, which prevents light from focusing correctly on the retina.
Ortho-K uses customised, hard contact lenses that are worn overnight to gently reshape the surface of your eye (the cornea). By morning, you can remove the lenses and enjoy clear vision throughout the day without needing glasses or contact lenses.
Because the lenses are worn while you sleep, Ortho-K offers a convenient alternative to traditional contact lenses, reducing the risk of dryness and irritation that can occur with daytime wear.
Who is Ortho-K For?
Ortho-K is an excellent option for people of all ages who want freedom from glasses or daytime contact lenses. It is particularly beneficial for:
- People with mild to moderate myopia (nearsightedness).
- Children and adolescents with progressive myopia. Research shows Ortho-K can help slow the worsening of nearsightedness in children, making it a widely recognised treatment option for parents and eye care professionals in managing progressive myopia in children.
- Patients with astigmatism, where the cornea’s irregular shape causes blurred vision.
Your optometrist will assess your suitability for Ortho-K as part of a comprehensive eye examination to ensure the treatment is safe and appropriate for your vision needs.
The Benefits of Ortho-K
As orthokeratology is temporary and reversible, it is considered a safe and effective treatment for many common vision conditions. If you stop wearing the lenses, your eyes will return to their original shape.
By correcting your vision overnight, Ortho-K helps you enjoy clear vision during the day without the need for corrective glasses or daytime contact lenses.
As Ortho-K lenses are only worn overnight, patients may find they are less likely to experience the dryness and irritation that can occur with traditional contact lenses.
We can determine your suitability for orthokeratology during our Ortho-K 360° Assessment. This also includes a full 360° Eye Exam to help you keep on top of your eye health.
Ortho-K at a Glance
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) is a safe and non-surgical method for correcting vision overnight by wearing customised contact lenses while you sleep.
It offers clear daytime vision without glasses or contact lenses and may help slow the progression of myopia in children.
Get started with Ortho-K
Start With Your Trial Lenses
Patients approved for the treatment will attend an Ortho-K Lens Fitting appointment where your optometrist will show you how to insert, remove and care for them correctly and safely. You will also have a quick follow-up appointment the next morning to ensure the lenses are right for you.
Enjoy great vision all day!
If any final adjustments are required, your optometrist will make these changes and order your final lenses.
By the end of the first week, you should start experiencing the benefits of Ortho-K.
Book an Ortho-K 360° Assessment today
Our Ortho-K 360° Assessment includes a thorough evaluation of your suitability for Ortho-K, along with a comprehensive eye exam.
FAQ
We find that patients under the age of 30 experience the greatest success with Ortho-K.
It is most effective for people who are short-sighted with minimal astigmatism, and especially for children.
As Ortho-K is an incredibly personalised service, prices vary depending on the prescription. Your optometrist will discuss pricing during your consultation.
Some health funds will partially rebate Ortho-K treatment, depending on your cover.
The initial assessment for Ortho-K is covered by Medicare, subject to eligibility.
Ortho-K has been successfully used since 1962. Because it is a temporary and reversible treatment, orthokeratology is considered a very safe technology with almost no potential negative side effects.
As with regular contact lenses, there is a small risk of infection if the lenses are not handled in a safe and hygienic manner. This risk is greatly reduced by following the cleaning and handling instructions, which your optometrist will discuss with you.
The great thing about Ortho-K is that after a bit of adaptation, most people don’t feel the lenses at all! They are a hard contact lens, so when you first insert them, you can feel them. However, just like a retainer, your eyes adapt and as you sleep you will forget they’re even there!
If you do decide to discontinue the treatment, your eyes will simply revert to their original, uncorrected state. Ortho-K is temporary, so once you stop wearing the contact lenses, the treatment stops working.
The first step is to book an Ortho-K 360° Assessment so that we can thoroughly examine your vision health and establish your eligibility for orthokeratology.
This appointment includes a comprehensive 360° Eye Exam.
