Ortho-K: overnight lenses
15 October, 2026 | 2:00 PMOrtho-K lenses are rigid contact lenses you wear while you sleep. They gently and temporarily reshape the front of the eye, so many people can see clearly during the day without glasses. In children, ortho-K may also help slow how fast short-sightedness gets worse.
We fit ortho-K lenses here in the clinic, for children and adults.
How ortho-K works
The lens presses very gently on the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. Overnight, this flattens the centre slightly. When you take the lenses out in the morning, the new shape lasts through the day.
The effect is temporary. If you stop wearing the lenses, your eyes return to their usual shape, usually within one to two weeks. Most nights of wear keep daytime vision clear.
For children with myopia (short-sightedness), ortho-K is one option your optometrist may suggest to help slow its progression. How much it helps varies from child to child. See our myopia management guide for parents.
Your nightly routine
- Wash your hands with soap and dry them on a lint-free towel.
- Rinse the lens with the solution you were given.
- Insert the lens as you were taught, then do the other eye.
- Go to sleep soon after. Aim for a full night's sleep in the lenses, of at least 6 to 8 hours.
Your morning routine
- Wash and dry your hands.
- If a lens feels stuck, put in a lubricating drop and blink a few times.
- Remove the lens with the method you were taught.
- Clean each lens with the recommended solution, then rinse.
- Empty the case, rinse it with solution and let it air-dry.
Hygiene rules
Overnight lens wear carries a small risk of serious eye infection. Good hygiene lowers that risk.
Do
- Use only the solutions your optometrist gave you
- Replace the case at least every three months
- Keep your glasses as a backup
Don’t
- Let lenses or the case touch tap water
- Wear the lenses if your eye is red or sore
- Share lenses with anyone
Parents should supervise children with insertion, removal and cleaning, especially at first.
Check-ups
Your first check is usually the morning after the first night. More checks follow in the first weeks, then about every six months. Your optometrist sets the schedule.
When to call us on (03) 9702 9118
Leave the lenses out and call the same day if you have:
- A red or painful eye
- Sensitivity to light
- A discharge or a white spot on the eye
- Blurry daytime vision that is getting worse
- A lens that is chipped, cracked or lost
Go to the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital emergency department (32 Gisborne Street, East Melbourne, open 24 hours), or call 000, if
you have severe eye pain or a sudden loss of vision and cannot reach us.
To find out whether ortho-K suits you or your child, book online or call us on (03) 9702 9118.
FAQs
Is ortho-K permanent?
No. The change lasts about a day. Wearing the lenses at night keeps your daytime vision clear.
What age can children start ortho-K?
Your optometrist will advise whether ortho-K suits your child. It depends on their eyes, and on how well they can manage lens care with help.
Does ortho-K stop myopia?
Ortho-K may help slow how fast myopia gets worse in children. Regular check-ups track how your child's eyes are changing.
What if I miss a night?
Your vision may be a little blurry the next day. Wear your glasses if you need to, and go back to your routine that night.
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