Orthokeratology (ortho-K) is a non-surgical, reversible treatment in which a child wears custom rigid contact lenses overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea, giving clear glasses-free vision the next day. Crucially, ortho-K is one of the most effective ways to slow the progression of childhood myopia, typically reducing how quickly short-sightedness worsens by around 40–50%. At our South England clinics, ortho-K fitting starts from £1,200 including the first set of custom lenses, with annual aftercare from around £500.
What is orthokeratology?
Orthokeratology — ortho-K for short, sometimes called "corneal reshaping" or "night lenses" — uses precisely designed rigid gas-permeable lenses worn only while sleeping. Overnight, the lenses gently and painlessly flatten the very front surface of the eye. When removed in the morning, the cornea holds its new shape for the day, so light focuses correctly on the retina and your child sees clearly without glasses or daytime contacts.
The effect is entirely temporary and reversible: if the lenses are stopped, the cornea gradually returns to its original shape within a week or two. Beyond the convenience of glasses-free days, ortho-K is increasingly chosen by parents because of its role in myopia control — slowing how fast a child's short-sightedness gets worse, which lowers the lifetime risk of high myopia and the eye conditions associated with it.
Myopia control options compared
Ortho-K is one of several evidence-based options for slowing childhood myopia. The right choice depends on your child's age, prescription, lifestyle and how comfortable they are handling lenses. Our specialists will recommend the best fit at the assessment.
Explore the alternatives in detail: MiSight 1 day lenses, Stellest myopia-control spectacles and Ryjunea atropine drops. To understand the underlying short-sightedness, see our page on refractive error.
How ortho-K is fitted & how it works
Ortho-K is non-surgical and entirely guided by precise corneal mapping. The fitting process is straightforward:
- Myopia assessment & corneal topography: we map the exact shape of your child's cornea and confirm their prescription and eye health.
- Custom lens design: bespoke rigid lenses are manufactured to reshape the cornea by the precise amount needed.
- Teaching session: parent and child are taught how to insert, remove and clean the lenses safely.
- First overnight wear: the lenses are worn while sleeping and removed in the morning.
- Review & fine-tuning: follow-up checks confirm the cornea is reshaping correctly and vision is stable through the day.
Worried your child's prescription keeps getting stronger? A myopia-control assessment measures how fast it is progressing and which option suits them best.
Book a myopia assessmentWhat to expect in the first weeks
Ortho-K is comfortable for most children once they adapt. There is no "recovery" as such because there is no surgery — instead, vision improves night by night as the cornea settles into its new shape.
Nights 1–2
Mild lens awareness on first insertion, which quickly eases. Daytime vision noticeably clearer on waking.
Week 1
Vision usually clear for most or all of the day. A short top-up of glasses may be needed in the late evening at first.
Weeks 2–4
Full, stable all-day vision for the great majority of children. Follow-up confirms the fit is correct.
Ongoing
Lenses worn nightly. Regular reviews track corneal health and measure myopia control. Lenses are replaced periodically.
Cost & what's included
Ortho-K is a programme of care rather than a one-off procedure, so pricing covers fitting, custom lenses and ongoing supervision:
- Initial fitting: from £1,200, including the full assessment, corneal topography, custom lenses and the teaching session.
- Annual aftercare: from around £500 per year, covering routine reviews, corneal-health checks and replacement lenses.
- Finance: 0% options available to spread the cost.
Because ortho-K is a children's myopia-management option rather than surgery, it is not usually covered by private medical insurance, but we will give you a clear written quote with no hidden extras.