Imagine waking up in the morning, opening your eyes, and being able to see clearly — without reaching for your glasses or putting in contact lenses. No surgery, no recovery time, no daily hassle. For many of our patients at Visioncare Opticians, this is already their everyday reality, thanks to a treatment called orthokeratology.
“Wear them overnight. Remove them in the morning. See clearly all day.”
What is orthokeratology (OrthoK)?
OrthoK uses specially designed, rigid gas-permeable contact lenses worn only during sleep. Overnight, they gently reshape the front surface of the eye — the cornea — so that when you remove them in the morning, light focuses correctly and your vision is clear. No lenses, no glasses needed for the rest of the day.
The effect is gradual and entirely reversible. If you stop wearing the lenses, your cornea returns to its natural shape over time — making OrthoK one of the safest, most flexible options in modern vision correction.
How does the process work?
- Corneal mapping consultation — We use corneal topography to create a precise 3D map of your eye’s surface — the foundation of your custom lens design.
- Custom lens fitting — Your lenses are individually manufactured to match your corneal profile exactly. Every pair is unique to you.
- First wear & review — After your first overnight session, we assess your vision and comfort, making any refinements needed.
- Ongoing care & monitoring — Most patients achieve full correction within a few nights. We schedule regular follow-ups to keep everything on track.
Who is Ortho-K suitable for?
Ortho-K works best for people with mild to moderate myopia (short-sightedness), and can also address low levels of astigmatism. It tends to suit:
- Children & teenagers
- Active adults & athletes
- Patients seeking myopia management
- Those who prefer to avoid surgery
In children, Ortho-K has the added huge benefit of slowing myopia progression — a clinically significant advantage at a time when short-sightedness rates among young people are rising worldwide.
Why don’t more people use ortho-k?
It isn’t widely available as it is a very specialized form of vision correction and can only be supplied by accredited Optometrists. It also involves the use of specialist equipment such as a corneal topographer. Moreover, a lot of patients in the UK aren’t aware it exists.
Are ortho k lenses comfortable?
Ortho-K involves sleeping in rigid gas permeable contact lenses also known as RGPs overnight. They are from the family of hard contact lenses thus there is some discomfort in the initial days. We advise on initial insertion keep the gaze lowered to make it more tolerable. When the eyes are shut you don’t feel them much and the sensitivity decreases the more you wear them. Most of our patients are relieved of any discomfort within literally days.
Is it safe?
OrthoK has a well-established safety record spanning several decades and is approved by regulatory bodies globally. The lenses are oxygen-permeable and worn only during sleep — a lower-risk period compared to daytime wear. As with all contact lens use, careful hygiene and regular aftercare with your practitioner are essential, and our team at The Vision Clinic will support you every step of the way.
“For children, OrthoK doesn’t just correct myopia — it can help slow its progression.”
What are the disadvantages of ortho-k lenses?
You have to wear the contact lenses every night religiously in order to maintain good, clear vision during the daytime. In the initial days it may take 2-3 weeks to attain the desired end point.
Finally, Orthokeratology is not offered by general hight street Optometrist. Only specialist practises can provide this and thus you may need to travel to an opticians that offers it.
Is OrthoK right for you?
The only way to know for certain is through a thorough consultation. We’ll assess your prescription, corneal shape, and lifestyle needs to determine whether OrthoK is a good match — and many patients are pleasantly surprised to find they qualify. It is great option if you want to be free from glasses and contact lenses during the day so you can swim, play sports etc freely!
Ready to find out more?
Book a consultation and take the first step towards glasses-free days.
