Are you or your child tired of relying on glasses for everyday vision? Do you want a non-surgical option that keeps up with school, sport, or work? If you’re based in Sydney and exploring safe alternatives for clearer sight, orthokeratology (Ortho-K) might be worth considering.
I’m David Truong, principal optometrist at Beyond Eyecare. Our clinic works with families and individuals to provide customised Ortho-K plans for myopia control and glasses-free days. In this article, I’ll explain how Ortho-K lenses in Sydney could be the vision correction option you are looking for. How they work. Who they suit. And what to expect from the fitting and follow-up process.
Key Takeaways
- Ortho-K lenses reshape the cornea overnight to provide clear vision during the day without glasses or contact lenses.
- Children and adults can both benefit, especially those with active lifestyles or progressing myopia.
- Regular check-ups are essential to maintain safety, comfort, and effectiveness of the lenses.
- Proper hygiene and lens care greatly reduce the risk of complications.
- Beyond Eyecare offers custom Ortho-K fittings in Sydney using advanced imaging and follow-up support.
What Are Ortho-K Lenses?
Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K, involves wearing rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses overnight. These lenses gently reshape the front surface of the eye (the cornea), allowing clear vision during the day without glasses or contacts.
What Vision Conditions Can Ortho-K Treat?
Ortho-K is most often prescribed for people with myopia (short-sightedness), helping them see clearly without glasses or daytime lenses. It can also support those with mild astigmatism and, in some cases, mild hyperopia (long-sightedness).
Who Can Use Ortho-K Lenses?
Children as young as six years old can use Ortho-K safely, especially those with progressing myopia. It’s also a popular choice for adults who lead active lifestyles, work in dusty or dry environments, or simply want the convenience of clear daytime vision without wearing glasses or contacts.
Who May Not Be Suitable?
Ortho-K requires nightly wear and high standards of hygiene. It’s not the best if you have severe dry eyes, corneal scarring or irregularities, or if you are unable to commit to consistent care routines. If these apply to you, we’ll help explore other safe alternatives.
How To Wear and Care for Ortho-K Lenses in Sydney
Want to wake up with clear vision and skip glasses during the day? That’s exactly what Ortho-K lenses do.
You insert the lenses just before bedtime and remove them when you wake up. This allows the lenses to reshape your cornea while you sleep, providing clear, glasses-free vision during the day. After removing the lenses, you clean and store them using approved solutions to maintain hygiene and lens quality.
Daily Routine
- Insert lenses just before bedtime: Reshaping begins while you sleep.
- Remove lenses in the morning: Clear vision sets in after lens removal.
- Clean and store the lenses using approved solutions: Prevents buildup and keeps lenses safe to use.
Hygiene and Handling Tips
Good hygiene is essential to the success and safety of Ortho-K wear. Always wash and dry your hands thoroughly before touching the lenses. Use fresh cleaning solution daily, never reusing or topping off old solution. Replace your storage case every 1 to 3 months to minimise contamination risk.
- Wash and dry hands before touching the lenses: Reduces the risk of infection.
- Use fresh cleaning solution daily: Helps eliminate harmful microbes.
- Replace the storage case every 1–3 months: Avoids bacterial build-up that can affect eye health.
How Long Do Ortho-K Lenses Last?
With the right care, most Ortho-K lenses last between 12 and 24 months. However, some patients may need replacements sooner depending on changes in the lens shape or visual outcomes.
If the lenses become warped or damaged, or if your vision correction starts to weaken, it’s time to have them reassessed and possibly refitted.
We schedule regular follow-up appointments to keep your eyes healthy and your results consistent. These check-ups allow us to monitor corneal health, verify that the lenses continue to fit well, and make design changes if your eye shape or prescription shifts over time.
Are Ortho-K Lenses Safe?
Ortho-K lenses are safe for both adults and children when fitted correctly and supported by regular care. Most of the risks we see come from poor hygiene practices or missed follow-up appointments and not from the lenses themselves. Most complications can be avoided with proper hygiene and regular check-ups.
At Beyond Eyecare, we schedule regular check-ups to:
- Track subtle changes in the shape or condition of your cornea
- Catch early signs of infection, inflammation, or irritation
- Make sure your lenses continue to work safely and effectively over time
Ortho-K for Myopia Control in Children
Ortho-K is a widely studied method for managing childhood myopia and slowing progression. It works by flattening the central cornea overnight, which not only corrects vision temporarily but also slows axial elongation, the physical eye growth linked to worsening myopia. This can help lower the lifetime risk of serious conditions like retinal detachment, glaucoma, or macular changes tied to high myopia.
Why Parents Choose Ortho-K
Parents often choose Ortho-K because it’s a drug-free, non-surgical solution that avoids systemic side effects. Children enjoy clear daytime vision without needing glasses or contact lenses, which is especially useful during school, sports, or outdoor activities. This balance of convenience and clinical safety makes Ortho-K a strong option for maintaining a child’s visual function and eye health over time.
Where To Get Ortho-K Lenses in Sydney
Finding the right clinic for Ortho-K matters. Look for one that offers corneal topography, axial length scanning, and has experience fitting lenses for children. These tools are essential for designing lenses that match your eye’s unique shape and monitoring changes in myopia over time.
At Beyond Eyecare, we use the up-to-date diagnostic equipment at our Zetland and Surry Hills clinics. Each lens is custom-made from detailed scans, and follow-up care is built into every treatment plan.
What To Expect from the Fitting Process
The process starts with a full consultation and an eye health check. After that, we conduct corneal imaging and visual acuity tests to map the shape of your eyes and assess your baseline vision. You’ll then be fitted with trial lenses to test how your eyes respond overnight.
Based on the results, we adjust the design as needed to ensure both comfort and effectiveness. Regular follow-ups help us track changes and keep your treatment on course.
Ortho-K vs Regular RGP Lenses
| Feature | Ortho-K Lenses | Regular RGP Lenses |
| Wear Schedule | Worn overnight and removed in the morning | Worn during waking hours, removed at night |
| Daytime Vision | Clear vision without wearing lenses | Requires lenses to see clearly during the day |
| Lifestyle Suitability | Ideal for active or sporty individuals | May interfere with physical activities |
| Comfort Factors | Less risk of daytime dryness or irritation | May cause dryness with prolonged wear |
Ortho-K lenses reshape your cornea while you sleep and come off in the morning. You’ll get clear daytime vision without wearing contacts. Regular RGP lenses do the opposite: they correct your vision during the day and come off at night.
Why People Choose Ortho-K Over RGP
Ortho-K lets you go through the day without contacts or glasses. This suits people who play sports, swim, or work in dry or dusty conditions. You’ll stay focused without the hassle of daytime lens care or physical restrictions.
Ortho-K Offers Better Comfort for Many
Removing the lenses in the morning means fewer problems with dry or irritated eyes during the day. Regular RGP lenses, especially after long hours or in air-conditioned spaces, can feel dry or uncomfortable. Ortho-K keeps things simpler and more comfortable for active routines.
Common Concerns and Questions
We answer some of your most asked questions online about Ortho-K lenses in Sydney.
Why Is Ortho-K More Expensive?
Ortho-K lenses cost more because of the high level of customisation and care they demand. Packages usually include detailed diagnostic imaging, custom lens design, and multiple appointments to ensure safety and effectiveness over time.
What Happens If You Stop Wearing Them?
If you stop using Ortho-K lenses, your cornea slowly returns to its original shape. Your vision will go back to its baseline state, but no permanent structural changes occur. This reversibility is one reason many people feel comfortable trying Ortho-K.
Are there Alternatives to Ortho-K?
There are other ways to manage or slow myopia progression. These include MiYOSMART and Stellest spectacle lenses, soft multifocal contact lenses, and low-dose atropine drops. For adults, refractive surgery may also be an option depending on eye health and lifestyle.
Final Thoughts
Ortho-K lenses in Sydney offer a clear, reversible, and safe way to manage vision without daytime glasses or surgery. It’s especially valuable for children with progressing myopia and adults seeking visual freedom.
At Beyond Eyecare, we customise every Ortho-K plan using corneal mapping, axial monitoring, and expert care. Schedule a consultation today to see if Ortho-K lenses are right for you or your child.
Book an appointment with Beyond Eyecare today at Zetland (02) 9662 6364 or Surry Hills (02) 9556 1160. You can also schedule a convenient time through our website.
