What Is Orthokeratology?
Orthokeratology has been used to correct vision since the 1960s, and the first lens approved by the FDA for overnight wear arrived in 2002. Today's Ortho-K lenses are rigid, gas-permeable, and custom-designed to gently press against the cornea overnight, temporarily flattening its curve so light focuses correctly on the retina.
Because the change is temporary, the effect typically lasts through the following day or two before your eyes begin to return to their original shape — which is why consistent nightly wear keeps your vision sharp. Ortho-K is most often used to correct mild to moderate myopia and some astigmatism, and unlike LASIK, it carries no age restriction.
Often a good option for
- Mild to moderate nearsightedness, with or without astigmatism
- Swimmers, martial artists, and others whose sport makes daytime lenses impractical
- Kids and teens too young for LASIK who still want to be glasses-free
- Anyone who'd rather avoid surgery altogether
The Fitting Process
Four steps from first visit to lens-free days
Map your eyes
Corneal topography measures the exact curvature of your eyes so we can design a lens tailored to your prescription and corneal shape.
Wear the lenses overnight
Each night, the reverse-geometry lens gently presses against the cornea, gradually reshaping it while you sleep.
Enjoy clear days
Remove the lenses in the morning and see clearly for a day or two — no glasses or daytime contacts required.
Keep up with follow-ups
We check in regularly to fine-tune the fit and confirm your eyes are healthy and responding as expected.
What Makes Ortho-K Different
May slow myopia in kids
Multiple studies have found Ortho-K slows the elongation of a child's eye — the main driver of worsening myopia — by roughly half compared to standard correction.
No daytime eyewear needed
Because the reshaping happens overnight, there's nothing to wear, clean, or lose during the school day, practice, or a shift at work.
Non-surgical and fully reversible
Stop wearing the lenses and your cornea gradually returns to its original shape, which makes Ortho-K a flexible option compared to permanent procedures.
A fit for active routines
Swimmers, wrestlers, and anyone who finds daytime lenses a hassle in the water or on the mat often find Ortho-K solves that problem outright.
Who Benefits Most
Ortho-K tends to work well for patients who
- —Have mild to moderate myopia that keeps progressing
- —Are too young for LASIK or would rather skip surgery
- —Play sports or swim regularly and want to leave eyewear behind
- —Have tried soft contacts but find dry eyes make them uncomfortable
Not every prescription responds the same way to Ortho-K, so we start with a full evaluation to confirm it's a good match before designing your lenses. Ongoing care is available at both our Northvale and Palisades Park offices.