What is orthokeratology?

Ortho-k lenses are rigid gas-permeable contact lenses worn overnight. They apply hydraulic pressure while you sleep, temporarily reshaping the cornea's central surface. By morning, that reshaped cornea gives you clear vision that holds for 16 to 24 hours.

The effect reverses. Stop wearing the lenses and your cornea gradually returns to its original shape over a few days to weeks. This makes ortho-k practical for children whose prescriptions are still changing: you are not committing to a fixed outcome, and if circumstances change, you simply stop.

Who is ortho-k right for?

Ortho-k works best for patients with mild to moderate myopia, generally up to about -6.00D, with low to moderate astigmatism. Good candidates include:

✓Children and teenagers with progressing myopia, where slowing progression is the primary goal
✓Athletes and active adults who want to be free of glasses and daytime contacts during sports, swimming, or outdoor activities
✓For children who are interested in vision correction procedures such as LASIK in the future, stabilizing their prescription with orthokeratology lenses can reduce possible complications with laser correction procedures.
✓Anyone who finds soft contacts uncomfortable during the day

Ortho-k is generally not suitable for high degrees of hyperopia or significant irregular astigmatism. An assessment will determine whether it fits your prescription and eye shape.

How ortho-k works

Map

We map your corneal curvature using corneal topography. The lenses are ordered custom to your eye's exact shape.

Sleep

You insert them at bedtime and remove them in the morning. Most patients notice meaningful improvement within the first couple of nights. Full, stable correction usually takes two to four weeks.

See

Your cornea holds its reshaped profile for 16 to 24 hours. You go about your day without glasses or contacts, then wear the lenses again overnight.

Ortho-K for children: what the myopia research actually shows

Myopia is not just a prescription number. It is a structural change: the eye elongates, and higher elongation over a lifetime raises the risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. Slowing that elongation during childhood reduces long-term risk, not just the glasses script.

Multiple studies including the ROMIO trial and Cho & Cheung 2012 show ortho-k reduces myopia progression by 36 to 56% compared to standard spectacle correction over the same period.

Ortho-k appears to work by changing how peripheral light lands on the retina, reducing the signal that drives continued eye elongation. At TVTO, we run topography at every follow-up so you can see exactly how your child's cornea is responding over time.

The ortho-k process at Toronto Vision Therapy & Optometry

Our optometrists have specialty training in myopia management and specialty lens fitting.

1Initial consultation: goals, prescription history, lifestyle, and candidacy discussion
2Corneal topography to map the eye precisely
3Custom lens ordering to your corneal profile
4Fitting and training session: insertion, removal, and overnight wear instructions
5Follow-up at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month with topography checks and fit adjustment if needed
6Annual monitoring and lens replacement as needed

Frequently asked questions

How long until I see results?

Most patients notice significant improvement within the first few nights. Full, stable correction typically takes two to four weeks of consistent nightly wear.

Are ortho-k lenses safe for children?

Yes. Ortho-k has a strong long-term safety record. Because the lenses are worn while sleeping, compliance and hygiene are often better than with daytime contact lenses. Routine follow-up is important to monitor corneal health, especially in the first few months.

What happens if we stop?

The cornea returns to its original shape within days to weeks. The myopia control benefit only lasts while the treatment is active. If you stop and restart later, the fitting process starts again.

Can adults use ortho-k just for lifestyle reasons?

Absolutely. Many adult patients choose ortho-k because they prefer not to wear daytime contacts, especially for sports or jobs where glasses are impractical. The fitting and follow-up process is the same.

Ortho-k is not for everyone. For the right patient, it changes daily life.

Book a consultation to find out if you or your child qualify.

Book an Ortho-K Consultation

416-498-3438 | 5 Fairview Mall Dr, Suite 410, North York

Ortho-K: Clear Vision All Day