Types of Contact Lenses

Learn the basics of orthokeratology

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What is Ortho-K

Reshaping the cornea for clear vision

Orthokeratology (or ortho-k) is a way to temporarily reshape the cornea (the front part of the eye that helps you focus) using contact lenses. These types of contact lenses typically eliminate the need for daytime vision correction because they’re worn at night during sleep. When a person wakes up in the morning, the reshaped cornea helps them see the world clearly without the need for glasses or contacts during the day. Keep in mind, the effect is temporary—when you stop using ortho-k lenses, your cornea will eventually return to its original shape.

A close up of a child's blue eye, eyebrow, and eyelashes

How orthokeratology works

The front of your eye is the home of your cornea. It’s clear and flexible and is responsible for helping you focus clearly. In fact, its flexibility is what allows orthokeratology to work. With ortho-k, a lens designed specifically for the unique shape of your eye sits directly on your cornea, helping flatten it and change the way it focuses light in your eye. The lenses are made from a more sturdy material than soft contact lenses, to be firm enough to reshape the cornea.

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Who is it for?

Ortho-k is commonly used to correct nearsightedness

One of the most common uses of orthokeratology is to correct childhood myopia (also known as nearsightedness). It’s an especially good option for children that swim or play sports since it typically eliminates the need for daytime correction with glasses or contact lenses. That said, it can be used as overnight vision correction for people of all ages and to correct other vision conditions like hyperopia or astigmatism. It can be a good option for people who don’t want to go through with refractive surgery or wear glasses or contacts during the day.

What to expect: Some things to know about ortho-k contacts

Now that we know what orthokeratology is and who it’s usually intended for, let’s cover some things that are helpful to know when considering these lenses.

  • While some people experience clearer vision almost immediately, it can take a few weeks or longer for ortho-k lenses to work as well as they can.
  • Some people need a series of lenses until they reach the right level of vision correction
  • At first, you’ll probably feel them on your eyes until you fall asleep
  • Until your cornea adapts to the orthokeratology lenses, your vision may get blurry again before the end of the day
The Abiliti® Overnight Therapeutic Lenses packaging and blister packages

ACUVUE makes ortho-k lenses

ACUVUE® Abiliti® Overnight Therapeutic Lenses are orthokeratology lenses that are approved for myopia management in patients of all ages. These lenses have been successfully used in thousands of patients for over 15 years in markets around the world.

Think they might be right for you or your child?

Ortho-k lenses can be a great solution for a lot of people. As overnight contact lenses, they can eliminate the need for daytime correction completely, providing additional freedom during the day. If you’re interested, the next step would be to schedule an appointment with an eye doctor.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Is orthokeratology safe?

While ortho-k is associated with an increased risk of infection, in three studies accounting for over 200 patient years of wear, no serious adverse events (or serious complications) were found with ACUVUE® Abiliti® Overnight Therapeutic Lenses wear.1 Always follow the care instructions of your eye doctor to help reduce the chances of eye infection.

How much do ortho-k lenses cost?

Prices can range from $1,000 to $4,000 depending on the lenses your eye doctor chooses and any fees associated with your office visit. It can cost more to replace lenses if you lose or damage them, since they’re custom-fit. Also, orthokeratology is often not covered by insurance, so costs tend to be out of pocket.

Is ortho-k better than LASIK?

What’s better depends entirely on your eyes and your lifestyle. LASIK is not recommended for children , since their eyes are still growing and developing, so ortho-k can be a great option for children while their eyes continue to grow. As always, it’s best to talk about your vision correction options with your eye doctor.

Can you watch TV while wearing ortho-k?

Technically you can because you should still see with your ortho-k lenses on. It is, however, generally recommended that wearers develop a routine, wearing ortho-k lenses 15-20 mins before going to sleep. This is to minimize time the lenses are on with the eyes open, as the effects of lid interaction from blinking and gravity may result in lens discomfort and treatment decentration.

I thought it wasn’t safe to wear contact lenses at night?

It depends on the specific contact lens product and the instructions provided by your eye doctor. Most ACUVUE lenses are not designed for overnight wear and can in fact increase the chance of eye health issues if you do wear them overnight. But Abiliti® Overnight is specifically designed to correct vision during sleep. As always, it's best to talk to your eye doctor if you have questions about when to wear your contact lenses.

Is ortho-k the same as corneal refractive therapy?

Corneal refractive therapy (CRT) is a proprietary designation but essentially the same as orthokeratology. If you're curious about it, please to talk to your eye doctor.

Footnotes

Consult your eye care professional for more information. Johnson & Johnson does not provide medical advice; this information is for educational purposes only.

*Free trial contact lenses available only from participating eye care professionals. Exam and fitting fees not included.

1. JJV Data on File 2023. ACUVUE® Abiliti® Overnight Therapeutic Lenses for Myopia Management – Consolidated, Approved Claims List; U.S. Only Claims.

Important Safety Information for Contact Lens Wearers: ACUVUE® Abiliti® Overnight Therapeutic Contact Lenses are available by prescription only for the management of myopia. An eye care professional will determine whether these contact lenses are right for you. Although rare, serious eye problems including vision loss and blindness can develop while wearing contact lenses. To help avoid these symptoms, follow the wear and replacement schedule and the lens care disinfection instructions provided by your eye care professional. Do not wear these contact lenses if you have an eye infection, or experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. If one of these conditions occurs, remove the lens and contact your eye doctor immediately. For more information on proper wear, care and safety, talk to your eye care professional, review the Patient Instruction Guide, call 1-877-334-3937, or visit www.seeyourabiliti.com.

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