If your child's glasses prescription seems to get stronger every year, you may be wondering whether there's anything you can do to slow the changes.
The answer is yes.
Orthokeratology, commonly called Ortho-K, is a non-surgical treatment that can help slow the progression of childhood myopia (nearsightedness) while allowing many children to see clearly during the day without glasses or contact lenses. Ortho-K uses specially designed contact lenses worn overnight to gently and temporarily reshape the cornea.
At Weston Contact Lens Institute, Dr. Elise Kramer offers customized Ortho-K lenses as part of a comprehensive myopia management program designed to help protect children's long-term eye health.
What Is Orthokeratology?
Orthokeratology is a vision correction technique that uses specially designed rigid gas-permeable contact lenses worn while sleeping. Unlike traditional contact lenses, which correct vision while they are on the eye, Ortho-K lenses temporarily reshape the cornea overnight.
The cornea is the clear front surface of the eye that helps focus light. In the morning, patients remove the lenses and can enjoy clear vision throughout the day without glasses or daytime contact lenses.
Because the reshaping effect is temporary, the lenses generally need to be worn regularly to maintain the results. Orthokeratology lenses are particularly appealing for children who play sports, participate in outdoor activities, or simply prefer not to wear glasses during the day.
How Does Ortho-K Slow Myopia Progression?
Myopia occurs when light focuses in front of the retina rather than directly on it, causing distant objects to appear blurry. In children, progressive myopia is commonly associated with excessive elongation of the eye, meaning the eye grows too long from front to back.
As the eye becomes longer, the prescription may continue to increase. Ortho-K addresses two important aspects of myopia:
1. Correcting Blurry Distance Vision
Ortho-K lenses temporarily reshape the front surface of the cornea, allowing light to focus more accurately on the retina.
This can provide clear daytime vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses.
2. Helping Slow Eye Growth
Ortho-K also changes how light focuses across the peripheral retina.
This optical effect is believed to help reduce the stimulus for excessive eye elongation, which is one of the primary factors driving myopia progression in children. By slowing axial elongation, Ortho-K can help reduce how quickly nearsightedness worsens.
It's important to understand that Ortho-K does not cure myopia or permanently stop eye growth. Its goal is to slow progression while providing convenient daytime vision correction.
How Effective Is Ortho-K for Myopia Control?
Research has consistently shown that Ortho-K can help slow myopia progression in many children.
Clinical studies commonly report approximately 40–50% less axial elongation in children wearing Ortho-K lenses compared with children using conventional single-vision correction. However, individual results vary depending on factors such as age, prescription, baseline eye growth, and treatment adherence.
Some children respond particularly well, while others may experience more modest benefits.
Why Does Slowing Myopia Matter?
Higher levels of myopia are associated with increased risks of certain eye conditions later in life, including:
- Retinal detachment
- Myopic macular degeneration
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
Slowing myopia progression during childhood may reduce the likelihood of developing high myopia and its associated long-term risks. Although Ortho-K cannot guarantee the prevention of these conditions, reducing excessive eye elongation is an important goal of myopia management.
Is Ortho-K Safe for Children?
Ortho-K has been used successfully in children for many years.
When prescribed appropriately, carefully fitted, and properly maintained, it can be a safe and effective option for myopia management. However, because Ortho-K lenses are worn overnight, proper hygiene and regular follow-up appointments are essential.
Understanding the Risk of Eye Infections
All contact lens wear carries some risk of infection.
With overnight lens wear, one of the most important potential complications is microbial keratitis, an infection of the cornea. Although uncommon, serious infections can lead to corneal scarring and vision loss.
Risk can be reduced by following appropriate cleaning, disinfection, handling, and replacement instructions.
Other Possible Side Effects
Some patients may experience:
- Temporary discomfort or lens awareness
- Mild corneal staining or irritation
- Glare or halos, particularly during the adaptation period
- Fluctuating vision if the lenses are not worn consistently
- Lens decentration that affects vision quality
- Difficulty removing a lens that has become temporarily adherent to the eye
Many of these issues can be addressed through adjustments to the lens fit or wearing routine. However, persistent pain, redness, light sensitivity, or decreased vision should never be ignored.
If these symptoms occur, discontinue lens wear and contact your eye care provider promptly.
How to Keep Ortho-K Lens Wear Safe
Parents and children should follow these important guidelines:
- Wash and thoroughly dry hands before handling lenses.
- Clean and disinfect lenses using the recommended products.
- Never expose lenses or storage cases to tap water.
- Avoid swimming or showering while wearing lenses.
- Never reuse old disinfecting solution.
- Replace lenses and storage cases as instructed.
- Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments.
- Never force a lens off the eye if it feels stuck.
Children should receive appropriate supervision until they can consistently manage their lenses safely and independently.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Ortho-K?
Ortho-K is often recommended for children and teenagers with progressive myopia, particularly when the goal is to slow prescription changes while providing clear daytime vision.
It may be a good option for children who:
- Have developed nearsightedness at a young age
- Have a prescription that continues to increase
- Participate in sports or activities where glasses are inconvenient
- Prefer not to wear contact lenses during the day
- Can follow a consistent overnight lens routine with parental support
There is no single age at which every child should begin Ortho-K. Some children start during elementary school, while others begin later.
The decision depends on the child's prescription, corneal shape, eye health, maturity, and ability to follow safe lens care instructions.
Can Adults Wear Ortho-K?
Yes. Although Ortho-K is commonly used for childhood myopia management, adults may also benefit from its ability to provide clear daytime vision without glasses or contact lenses.
For adults, Ortho-K is primarily a reversible, non-surgical method of vision correction rather than a treatment for actively progressing childhood myopia.
What Happens During an Ortho-K Fitting?
Ortho-K lenses must be carefully customized to the shape of each patient's cornea. At Weston Contact Lens Institute, the fitting process involves several steps.
Step 1: Comprehensive Eye Examination
We evaluate your child's vision, prescription, corneal health, and overall eye health. We also review previous prescription changes and any family history of myopia.
Step 2: Corneal Topography
Using advanced corneal mapping technology, we measure the curvature and shape of the cornea. These measurements help us select and customize the Ortho-K lens design.
Step 3: Customized Lens Fitting
Based on the examination and measurements, specialized Ortho-K lenses are selected or ordered. The fit is carefully evaluated to help ensure appropriate corneal reshaping, comfort, and safety.
Step 4: Insertion, Removal, and Care Training
Our team teaches both parents and children how to insert, remove, clean, and disinfect the lenses. We make sure families understand the overnight wearing routine and the importance of proper hygiene.
Step 5: Follow-Up Appointments
Follow-up visits are essential, particularly during the initial adaptation period. We assess the corneal response, vision quality, lens fit, and overall eye health. As treatment continues, we monitor prescription changes and, when available and appropriate, axial length to evaluate myopia progression.
How Long Does My Child Need to Wear Ortho-K Lenses?
Ortho-K is generally an ongoing treatment rather than a short-term course.
Because myopia can continue progressing throughout childhood and adolescence, many children use Ortho-K for several years. The appropriate duration depends on their age, eye growth, prescription stability, and treatment response.
What Happens if My Child Stops Wearing Ortho-K?
The corneal reshaping effect is temporary.
If Ortho-K lenses are discontinued, the cornea gradually returns toward its original shape, and the daytime vision correction diminishes. The time required varies between patients.
Myopia progression may also resume after treatment is discontinued, particularly if the child's eyes are still actively growing. Some studies have reported faster axial elongation following discontinuation in younger children, but this does not mean every child will experience a rebound effect.
For this reason, decisions about stopping or changing treatment should be made with your eye care provider.
How Much Does Ortho-K Cost?
The cost of Ortho-K depends on several factors, including:
- The complexity of your child's prescription
- The lens design required
- The fitting and customization process
- Follow-up appointments
- Lens replacement needs
Because Ortho-K involves specialized lenses and ongoing monitoring, it generally costs more than conventional glasses or soft contact lenses. At Weston Contact Lens Institute, we provide a personalized estimate after evaluating your child's eyes and determining the appropriate treatment plan.
Does Insurance Cover Ortho-K?
Insurance coverage varies depending on your provider and plan.
Some vision plans may contribute toward examinations or certain services, but Ortho-K and myopia management treatments are not universally covered. Our team can help review available benefits and explain anticipated out-of-pocket costs.
Ortho-K Compared With Other Myopia Management Treatments
Ortho-K is one of several evidence-based approaches to slowing childhood myopia.
Other options include:
- MiSight 1 Day contact lenses: Daily disposable soft contact lenses designed to slow myopia progression.
- Low-dose atropine eye drops: Medication that may help slow myopia progression in selected children.
- Essilor Stellest spectacle lenses: Specially designed eyeglasses that help slow myopia progression.
Each treatment has different advantages, limitations, and practical considerations. The best choice depends on your child's age, prescription, lifestyle, eye health, and individual needs. Our Myopia Management Clinic can assist and support you.
Personalized Ortho-K Treatment at Weston Contact Lens Institute
If your child's glasses prescription continues to increase, early intervention may help slow the progression of nearsightedness and support healthier vision over time. At Weston Contact Lens Institute, Dr. Elise Kramer specializes in advanced contact lens fitting and individualized myopia management, including orthokeratology. Using detailed corneal mapping and customized lens designs, we work with families to determine whether Ortho-K is an appropriate option for their child's vision and lifestyle.
We welcome patients from across the United States and around the world at our Weston and Miami locations. If you're interested in learning whether overnight Ortho-K lenses could benefit your child, we're here to help.
Schedule an Ortho-K consultation at Weston Contact Lens Institute.
