What are ortho-k lenses and how do they work?

Did you know that you might be able to correct myopia without eye surgery? Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a vision condition, or type of refractive error, where objects up close appear clear, while objects far away appear blurry.

A procedure called orthokeratology, or ortho-k, is a non-surgical vision correction that makes it possible for many people with myopia to achieve better vision without LASIK. In fact, with ortho-k, you simply wear contact lenses at night — and remove them during the day! No need for surgery or eyeglasses. Learn more below about how ortho-k works and when the eye procedure might make sense for you.

What are ortho-k lenses and how can they help my vision?

Ortho-k lenses are gas permeable contact lenses that you wear overnight. The lenses work by reshaping the cornea while you sleep, so you can see clearly the next day. Ortho-k contact lenses are specially designed and fitted to your eyes. To ensure the best fit, your eye doctor measures the curvature of your cornea during a quick and painless procedure. Ortho-k lenses are flatter and more rigid than regular contact lenses.

Most people require a series of three progressively flatter lenses to achieve the best results — usually 20/40 to 20/20 vision. You may experience a dramatic improvement in your vision after just a night or two. If your nearsightedness is more severe, it may take a couple of weeks or longer to achieve those results. During the process, you may temporarily experience blurred vision, glare and halos around lights.

How long do you have to wear ortho-k lenses?

Even after your refractive errors are corrected, you'll need to continue wearing the ortho-k lenses every night. They work much like a retainer for your teeth, helping to ensure that the cornea retains its new shape. If you don't continue with the lenses, you may still see fine for a couple of days, but your myopia will gradually return. Some people may still need to wear eyeglasses or contacts during the day, but at a lower prescription; and some people may continue to experience mild glare or halos when not wearing the ortho-k lenses.

Who is a good candidate for ortho-k lenses?

Good candidates for ortho-k include children and adults with mild to moderate myopia. People who are too young for LASIK or have other issues that make them poor candidates for refractive surgery may also benefit from non-surgical ortho-k. Likewise, people whose daytime activities or work environments make it challenging to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses also might opt for ortho-k lenses for non-surgical vision correction.

Are ortho-k lenses the right choice for me?

In general, ortho-k is a non-invasive, pain-free procedure. However, there is some risk of corneal abrasion, corneal infections or corneal ulcerations (sores). To determine if ortho-k lenses are a good choice for you, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam. Your doctor can answer your eye care questions and recommend the best treatment for your vision problem, which may be ortho-k non-surgical vision correction.

Keep in mind that ortho-k lenses can be more expensive than other types of contact lenses. Other related expenses can include lens-care solutions, follow-up exams and replacement lenses. Insurance may not cover all of these expenses, but your CareCredit health and wellness credit card can help you fill the gaps.

The CareCredit credit card can make it easy to pay for eye exams, contact lenses, glasses and other vision procedures and products at locations in the CareCredit network nationwide.* Use the Acceptance Locator or download the CareCredit Mobile App to find a provider near you that accepts CareCredit.