Ortho K

Ortho-K (Orthokeratology) is a revolutionary treatment that uses custom made contact lenses to gently mould your eyes whilst you sleep. It is a safe alternative to glasses, contact lenses and even laser eye surgery.

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A similar concept to braces on your teeth, the lenses act as a retainer, correcting your vision by gently shaping the cornea. When you wake up and remove the contact lenses, the eye is able to hold the corrected shape for up to 16 hours, giving you clear vision all day, without glasses.

The cornea is a highly flexible tissue, which is why the treatment is totally reversible and won’t last long term. To maintain your newfound freedom, the Ortho-K lenses must be worn on a regular basis, or the cornea will return back to its original shape within two to three days.

We are one of the few eye specialists who can offer Ortho-K lenses, thanks to our technologically-advanced clinics and comprehensive eye assessments. OCULA uses a digital corneal topographer which maps the shape of your eye and produces a 3D image which we use to design your Ortho-K lenses.

ortho k

About Orthokeratology

How Does Orthokeratology Work?

Who can use Ortho-K lenses?

Ortho-K suits those who want freedom from glasses or contact lenses during the day. Ideal for those who: 

  • Play sports, particularly contact, snow and water sports
  • Have difficulty with conventional contact lenses due to dry eye, allergies or being in hazardous conditions such as building sites
  • Need glasses just for reading
  • Suffer from myopia. Ortho-K can help slow the progression of shortsightedness in children, teenagers and young adults.

If you’re considering Ortho-K, get in touch. We’re happy to discuss whether it’s the right option for your eyes. 

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Doing Ortho-k has been the best decision I have made in regard to my eye care. I was a bit skeptical of this working and sleeping with hard contacts but once you're asleep you don't know you're wearing them and after a couple weeks your eyes are desensitised to them so they end up being as comfortable as you would be wearing day contacts.

They are right for me because I don't have to hunt out my prescription sunglasses while driving or change between them when out and about or having my contacts drying out and getting scratchy when flying.....a bonus too is that my eyes don't fog up when wearing a mask!

I have been doing ortho-k for over 18 months and have loved it since day one. After the first night of using them I cried because I could see so clearly! 

Roberta and her team are amazingly helpful and you won't regret it. I am so happy I took a chance on Ortho-k and would do it again in a heartbeat. 

Jen - patient at OCULA Merivale

FAQs

Do they hurt? - No. They are a little uncomfortable when first starting to wear them, as if a pressure on the front of the eye (which there is!), but on the closed eye environment they are very tolerable.  Better yet, there is no daytime discomfort because you don't have to wear contact lenses during the day.
How long do a set of Ortho-K lenses last? - Manufacturers suggest annual replacement of lenses, but with good care including a monthly protein clean Ortho-K lenses can last 12-24 months.
Can you see through the Ortho-K contact lenses? - Yes you can.  Some people find it comfortable enough to read in them before sleep.
Do you have to wear them every night? - Ideally yes to retain the shape of the cornea and maintain corrected vision.  Now and again, a night off the lenses is okay but expect your vision to start returning to baseline, your pre Ortho-K treatment vision, by the following morning.