Ortho-K
Imagine waking up in the morning, removing a pair of contact lenses, and enjoying clear, natural vision all day without the need for glasses or daytime contacts. This is the reality of Orthokeratology, commonly known as Ortho-K. At Acuity Eyecare, we specialise in this non-surgical vision correction method, providing a safe and effective alternative for both children and adults.
How does Ortho-K work?
Ortho-K is the practice of gently and temporarily reshaping the cornea at the front of the eye to correct refractive errors, including myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness), and astigmatism.
This is achieved with the use of a custom-designed, rigid gas permeable (hard) contact lens which is worn overnight whilst you sleep. After a week or so of nightly wearing, the cornea is reshaped, allowing light to focus accurately on the retina. When you wake up and remove the lenses, you can enjoy clear vision throughout the day without the need for frames or traditional daytime contacts. Because the reshaping is temporary, the effect is fully reversible; continued nightly wear is required to maintain the visual benefit.
The Benefits of Ortho-K
For many patients at Acuity Eyecare, Ortho-K offers lifestyle and clinical benefits that traditional eyewear cannot match:
Active Lifestyles
An ideal alternative to refractive surgery for swimmers, athletes, and those with active hobbies where glasses are inconvenient.
Non-Surgical & Reversible
Unlike laser surgery, if you stop wearing the lenses, your eyes will simply return to their original shape. It is a safe, flexible, and fully reversible alternative.
Freedom from Dryness
Many wearers suffer from dry eyes in air-conditioned offices. Since you wear nothing during the day, Ortho-K eliminates daytime lens discomfort.
Myopia Control for Children
Ortho-K has been found to slow the progression of myopia by approximately 50-60% in children. This helps protect their long-term ocular health as they grow older.
Slowing Myopia Progression
For myopia control, Ortho-K works similarly to our other treatment options. It corrects distance vision centrally, while simultaneously creating a defocus signal in the peripheral vision that tells the eye to slow its growth.
This is achieved through peripheral myopic defocus, where light is focused slightly in front of the peripheral retina. By shifting this focus, we remove the primary stimulus that causes the eye to lengthen. Managing how light hits the retina in this way allows the Acuity Eyecare team to significantly slow the rate of prescription changes, preserving long-term eye health and reducing the risk of high myopia.
Are You a Candidate?
During your specialised eye assessment, we use advanced corneal topography to create a precise 3D map of your eye’s surface. This allows us to determine if your prescription and eye shape are suitable for Ortho-K. While often associated with myopia, new lens designs have expanded the range of prescriptions we can treat, including specific types of hyperopia and astigmatism.
The Fitting Process at Acuity Eyecare
Fitting Ortho-K lenses is a highly specialised process that requires precision and careful monitoring:
-
Initial Assessment
We perform a comprehensive eye exam and detailed corneal mapping. -
Lens Selection
Your custom lenses are ordered based on your unique topography. -
The First Fit
We teach you how to apply, remove, and care for your lenses safely. -
Follow-Up Care
We monitor your progress with check-ups after the first night, first week, and first month to ensure your vision is stabilising perfectly.