Ortho-K Night Lenses for Clearer Daytime Vision

Ortho-K night lenses are custom-fitted rigid contact lenses worn during sleep to gently reshape the cornea, giving suitable wearers clearer daytime vision without glasses or daytime contact lenses. The effect is temporary and reversible.

Want to understand how Ortho-K works in detail? Read our full guide on what is Orthokeratology and how Ortho-K works.

Who Is Suitable for Ortho-K Night Lenses?

Suitability for Ortho-K depends on more than your prescription. At the assessment, we look at:

Degree of myopia and astigmatism:

Whether your prescription falls within the range Ortho-K can correct

Corneal shape:

Corneal topography shows whether your cornea is likely to respond predictably to overnight reshaping

Eye health:

Existing eye conditions, past infections or allergies may make Ortho-K unsuitable

Lens handling:

Whether you, or your child with a parent’s help, can manage insertion, removal and cleaning consistently

Treatment goals:

Reducing dependence on glasses during the day, slowing myopia progression in children, or both

Ortho-K is not suitable for everyone. The assessment is what determines whether it is appropriate for your eyes.

The Benefits of Ortho-K Lenses

Helps Manage Myopia Progression

Ortho-K lenses are commonly used as part of myopia management, particularly in children and younger patients. By temporarily reshaping the cornea overnight, the lenses can provide clearer daytime vision while also helping to slow the progression of myopia in suitable patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials found that children using Ortho-K experienced less axial eye growth than control groups over follow-up periods of up to 24 months.

Supports an Active Lifestyle

People who lead active lifestyles may prefer not to wear glasses or daytime contact lenses during sports and daily activities. Ortho-K lenses are worn overnight, which can help reduce dependence on corrective eyewear during the day.

Non-Surgical and Reversible

Ortho-K is a non-surgical vision correction option. Unlike permanent refractive procedures, the corneal reshaping effect is temporary and gradually reduces when lens wear is stopped. Regular overnight wear is generally required to maintain the intended vision correction.

May Be Suitable for Children

Ortho-K may be considered for children with myopia, especially where myopia management is part of the treatment goal. As children’s vision can continue to change as they grow, an eye care professional can assess whether Ortho-K is suitable based on their prescription, corneal shape and overall eye health.

Ortho-K vs LASIK: What’s the Difference?

Both reduce dependence on glasses, but LASIK permanently removes corneal tissue through surgery while Ortho-K reshapes the corneal surface temporarily and reverses when lens wear stops. LASIK is generally intended for adults whose prescription has stabilised, which is why Ortho-K is often the option considered for children with progressing myopia.

For a full side by side comparison of treatment type, reversibility, follow up and suitability, read our guide on how Ortho-K compares with LASIK.

Ortho-K Procedure

1. Consultation and Assessment

After a quick eye examination to assess your eye health, your practitioner will use an instrument called a topographer to measure your cornea’s surface, showing its overall shape and curves. The readings taken from the topographer will then be used to create the Ortho-K lenses you need. As no two corneas are the same, each Ortho-K lens is unique to each person who needs it.

2. Collection and Test Fitting

Once your lenses are ready, a test fitting will be needed to make sure it fits properly and does not cause problems. When the lens is first placed onto the cornea, it needs 30 minutes to settle down before an assessment of its fit is made. If everything looks fine, we will teach you how to insert and remove the lenses safely as well as how to keep them well maintained.

3. Follow-Up Session

After your first overnight use of the lenses, you will need to return to the practitioner to have your eyes checked. This will include a vision test and a topographer check. Initial usage may not immediately have results; in some cases, your vision might not necessarily see a marked improvement. After about one to two weeks, most wearers find their vision has stabilised, with clear daytime vision lasting roughly 24 to 72 hours after each overnight wear. This varies between individuals, and your practitioner will advise how often you need to wear the lenses.

Ortho-K Safety and Aftercare

Ortho-K is non-surgical, but it still involves wearing contact lenses overnight. Because of this, there is a higher risk of eye infection compared with daytime lens wear, as well as possible irritation, redness or corneal abrasion. Most complications are linked to poor hand hygiene, contaminated lens cases, improper cleaning or lenses that are not fitted correctly.

This is why proper fitting and regular follow-up are especially important for Ortho-K. Every fitting starts with corneal topography, together with an assessment of your eye health. We will also review how your eyes respond after you start wearing the lenses and continue to monitor them at follow-up visits. Before you bring the lenses home, we will guide you on how to insert, remove, clean and store them properly, and explain which symptoms mean you should stop wearing the lenses and contact us.

In Singapore, contact lenses must be prescribed and dispensed by a registered optometrist or contact lens practitioner. The Health Sciences Authority has also warned that lenses bought online from unknown or unauthorised sources may increase the risk of eye infections, corneal ulcers and blindness. Ortho-K lenses are not an off-the-shelf product and should not be purchased without a proper fitting.

If you experience persistent eye pain, redness, sensitivity to light or blurred vision, remove the lenses and seek professional advice as soon as possible.

How Much Do Ortho-K Lenses Cost in Singapore?

General costs, including consultations and follow-up checks, can start from SG$1,000 and higher.

The overall cost for Ortho-K lenses comes from the lenses that are customised to your needs, along with the personalised care you will receive to help you get used to them.

There may be additional factors that go into the pricing of lenses, such as the degree of myopia progression.

Ortho-K Knowledge Hub

Overnight Ortho-K vs Traditional Contact Lenses

If you are considering Ortho-K lenses, you may also be comparing them with traditional contact lenses. Both options can help with vision correction, but they work in different ways.

Traditional contact lenses are worn during the day to provide immediate vision correction. They are commonly used by people who want an alternative to glasses. Ortho-K lenses, on the other hand, are worn overnight while you sleep. They gently reshape the cornea so you can enjoy clear vision throughout the day without wearing glasses or contact lenses.

For a more detailed comparison, read our full guide on Overnight Ortho-K vs Traditional Contact Lenses: Which Vision Correction Option Is Right for You?

How to Clean and Care for Ortho-K Lenses

Keeping your Ortho-K lenses clean is an important part of maintaining healthy eyes and achieving the best vision correction results. This guide explains the proper cleaning routine, including how to remove deposits, disinfect and store your lenses correctly, care for your storage case, and follow good hygiene practices to ensure your lenses remain safe and comfortable for daily use.

What to Expect After Wearing Overnight Ortho-K

Starting Ortho-K treatment is an exciting step towards clear daytime vision without glasses or contact lenses. However, it’s important to know that results vary from person to person, and your eyes may need some time to adjust during the first few weeks.

To help you understand what to expect after wearing overnight Ortho-K lenses, including vision changes, follow-up care, and helpful tips for a smooth adjustment, read our complete guide on What You Can Expect After Wearing Overnight Ortho-K Contact Lenses.

Meet Our Optometrist

Philip D. Izaac
Dip. Optom. | B.Sc. Optom. (USA) | M.Sc. Clinical Optom. (USA)
MOH Reg. No. E0801695J

Philip D. Izaac has practised optometry since 1988, having started in a family business run by his father, whose name is still remembered by Singaporeans and Indonesians alike. He developed a keen interest in contact lenses in the early 1980s, when hard and soft lenses were prescribed. Fitting contact lenses then required a learned skill, as there were various issues to deal with in terms of oxygen supply to the cornea and contact lens solution allergies.

Mr Izaac took on difficult cases and persisted until his patients were satisfied with the outcome. The reputation that followed brought a steady flow of referrals, and in 1988 he opened his own practice under the name Philip D Izaac.

Why Choose Philip D Izaac

Professional Optometrist
Services

With years of experience, we provide highly qualified eyecare support tailored to your preferences and eye health needs.

Homegrown
Brand

We are a family of optometrists with over 40 years of experience providing Singaporeans with safe, trusted eyecare.

Comprehensive Eye Screenings

We provide primary eye care through comprehensive eye exams, using the best state-of-the-art equipment and diagnostic screenings for your benefit.

Tailor-made Eyecare Solutions

We use the latest eyecare technology to assist you with vision issues, perform detailed eye exams, and ensure you receive the best optical health care you deserve.

Pay What You Need

Rest assured that we do not incur hidden fees in your consultation invoice or when purchasing our eyecare products.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ortho-K Lenses

Does using Ortho-K lenses hurt?

Ortho-K lenses are not painful for most wearers. You may feel mild awareness on your upper eyelid when the lens is first inserted, similar to regular contact lenses, but this typically fades quickly and disappears completely once you fall asleep. With continued use, most wearers no longer notice the lens.

How long do the benefits of Ortho-K lenses last?

It varies between individuals. Most wearers report clear vision lasting around 24 to 72 hours after each overnight wear, though some find it wears off sooner. If your vision becomes blurry within a day, your practitioner may recommend wearing the lenses every night.

Can I wear my Ortho-K lenses like contact lenses?

You could, but we do not recommend it as it is not the intended use.

Can I go to any optometrist for an Ortho-K fitting?

Not all optometrists are capable of performing a fitting. For one, the lenses require a specialised contact lens fitting, and only qualified optometrists with proficiency in myopia management can do so. Be sure to ask first if the optometrist of your choice can perform an Ortho-K fitting before scheduling an appointment.

Can I still wear Ortho-K lenses if I have dry eyes?

Dry eye is one of the factors we assess before fitting. Some people who experience dryness with daytime contact lenses find overnight wear more comfortable, since the lenses are removed in the morning. Whether Ortho-K is suitable depends on the cause and severity of your dry eye, which the assessment will determine.

Can I choose to undergo LASIK surgery later on, even if I use Ortho-K lenses?

Yes. Because Ortho-K is reversible, you can stop wearing the lenses and consider LASIK later. Your cornea needs time to return to its natural shape first so that accurate measurements can be taken before surgery, and the surgeon will advise how long to stop lens wear beforehand.

Book an Appointment With Our Optometrist

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Philip D Izaac Optometrist & Contact Lens Clinic

+65 84680370

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