Ortho-K Night Lenses for Adults & Children | W Optics
Ortho-K lenses, also known as orthokeratology lenses, are a non-surgical way to temporarily correct certain refractive errors while you sleep. These night contact lenses are worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea, allowing you to achieve clearer daytime vision without glasses or daytime contact lenses.
Suitable for both children and adults, Ortho-K night lenses can temporarily correct short-sightedness (myopia) and certain levels of astigmatism (a condition where the eye’s surface is uneven, causing blurry vision). You wear them to sleep and remove them in the morning. Most wearers then go about their day with no additional lenses needed.
Because these are specialised and made-to-measure lenses, Ortho-K night lenses are dispensed only at our myopia centres. Book a consultation or visit a W Optics myopia centre to find out if Ortho-K is right for you or your child.
What Are Ortho-K Lenses?
Ortho-K contact lenses are customised rigid gas-permeable contact lenses. These firm lenses are made from materials that allow oxygen to reach the cornea during wear. They are designed to reshape the cornea (the clear, dome-shaped front layer of the eye) gently and gradually overnight.
By temporarily changing the shape of the cornea, the lenses alter how light is focused onto the retina, helping to correct myopia during the day.
This is a time-tested method of correcting refractive errors like short-sightedness. It has been described by some as “braces for the eyes” because like dental braces, it reshapes gradually.
How Ortho-K Night Lenses Work
You insert the lenses before bed and wear them overnight according to your optometrist’s recommended wearing schedule. As you sleep, the lenses gently interact with the cornea to temporarily reshape its surface.
When you wake and remove the lenses, the cornea holds its new shape temporarily. This gives you clear vision throughout the day without glasses or daytime contacts. The lenses do the work while you sleep, so your actual waking hours are lens-free.
How long the effect lasts?
The corrective effects of Ortho-K are temporary, so the lenses need to be worn again every night to maintain clear vision in the daytime. The effect often develops over several nights, with the time needed to reach the desired level of correction varying between individuals.
The change is fully reversible. If you stop wearing the lenses, the cornea gradually returns towards its original shape and the myopic prescription generally returns over time.
Are Ortho-K Lenses Safe
Ortho-K can be a safe option for suitable children and adults when lenses are properly fitted and worn under the supervision of a qualified eye-care professional. Overnight Ortho-K lenses have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for temporary reduction of myopia in specific indications, and the treatment has been used clinically for decades.
One benefit of Ortho-K is that its corneal reshaping effect is temporary and reversible. However, Ortho-K is still an overnight contact lens treatment and carries risks, including corneal infection, particularly if lens hygiene and wearing instructions are not followed. Proper lens care, regular follow-up and prompt attention to eye discomfort or redness are important for safe wear.
Ortho-K has been studied extensively as a method of slowing myopia progression in children. Research has found that it can slow axial elongation while treatment is being used, although the effect varies between individuals.
Several clinical studies support this, each showing meaningfully slower growth in the eye’s axial (front-to-back) length, which is linked to myopia development:
Who Are Ortho-K Lenses Suitable For?
Ortho-K may be suitable for some children and adults, including those who want to reduce their dependence on glasses or daytime contact lenses.
It is particularly suited to the following:
- Children with progressive myopia, where short-sightedness is worsening year on year, as Ortho-K can help slow that progression
- Adults who want clear and glasses-free vision for daily convenience
- People who prefer not to wear contact lenses during the day, where their eye health and corneal condition are suitable for Ortho-K
- Those who have active or sporting lifestyles that make glasses or daytime lenses uncomfortable
Ortho-K Lens Cost in Singapore
The exact cost of Ortho-K lenses can only be confirmed after your assessment, as each fitting is tailored to the individual’s eye.
As a guide, Ortho-K fitting packages in Singapore typically range from around S$1,500 to S$2,800, depending on the clinic and the complexity of the case. The price covers more than the lenses, as this is a complete fitting programme. Most packages include the suitability assessment, corneal mapping, the lenses themselves, and the process of fitting them.
A few factors affect the cost of Ortho-K lenses:
- Your prescription
- The lens design chosen
- Whether or not you have astigmatism
- The replacement cycle, as Ortho-K lenses may need to be replaced periodically depending on their condition, fit and your optometrist’s recommendation.
For children: Ortho-K is often chosen as part of a long-term myopia management plan, so it helps to view the cost across the year rather than as a one-off.
For adults: the value lies in convenience and freedom from daytime lenses, particularly for travel or physical activity. Once the initial fitting is settled, the main ongoing costs are periodic lens replacement and routine check-ups.
To get an accurate quote for Ortho-K lenses, book an assessment at W Optics today. Our optometrists will share the full costs before you commit.
What to Expect During Your Ortho-K Journey at W Optics
Getting Ortho-K right starts with getting to know your eyes. Here is how we work with you, from the first consultation to ongoing care.
Step 1: Assessment and Consultation
We begin by understanding your lifestyle, visual needs, and eye health history. This allows us to evaluate if Ortho-K is a good fit for you or your child. This is also when you can ask questions and share what you want from treatment.
Step 2: Detailed Eye Examination
Our optometrists carry out a thorough examination that may include corneal topography (mapping the front surface of your eye), axial length measurement and other assessments of your eye health and prescription. These measurements help us determine whether Ortho-K is suitable and guide the lens fitting process.
Step 3: Custom Lens Fitting
Every pair of Ortho-K lenses is made to measure and tailored to each eye. We assess and fine-tune the lens fit so it sits appropriately on the cornea and provides the intended reshaping effect while remaining comfortable during overnight wear.
Step 4: Training and Aftercare
We show you how to insert, remove, clean, and store your lenses. You get the instructions for the nightly routine to follow at home and for good hygiene, so that you feel confident before you leave.
Step 5: Follow-Up Monitoring
Regular reviews let us check your vision and monitor progress over time. For children, this is also where we track how well myopia progression is being managed.
Find Out If Ortho-K Night Lenses Are Right for You
Our optometrists can assess your eyes and recommend the right Ortho-K approach for you or your child. Book an appointment or find a W Optics store near you to get started.
Benefits of Ortho-K Night Lenses
- Enjoy clear daytime vision without glasses or daytime contact lenses.
- May help slow myopia progression in children.
- Temporarily reshape the cornea without surgery, with reversible effects.
- Enjoy sports and physical activities without glasses or daytime contact lenses.
Ortho-K vs Other Myopia Control Options
Swipe left or right to compare all treatments.
| How it works | Whom it suits | Daytime wear | Reversibility | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ortho-K night lenses | Rigid lenses reshape the cornea overnight for clear daytime vision | Suitable children with progressing myopia; some adults seeking reduced dependence on daytime eyewear | None, as lenses are only worn during sleep | Fully reversible, as the cornea returns to its shape if you stop |
| Myopia control spectacles | Specially designed lenses provide optical signals intended to slow myopia progression while maintaining clear central vision | Younger children or those not ready for contact lenses | Glasses worn all day | Fully reversible |
| Atropine eye drops | Low-dose drops that slow the eye's elongation over time | Children for whom low-dose atropine is considered appropriate by an eye-care professional | Glasses or lenses may still be needed | Reversible, as the effect stops when the drops stop |
| Soft daily myopia control lenses | Specially designed daily contact lenses that provide optical signals intended to slow myopia progression | Older children and teens able to handle contacts | Worn throughout the day | Fully reversible |
Not Sure Which Myopia Control Option Is Right?
Our optometrists can talk you through the choices and recommend what suits you or your child’s eyes, age, and lifestyle. Book an appointment or find a W Optics store near you to get started.
Why Choose W Optics?
OOB-Registered Optometrists
Your eyes are cared for by qualified optometrists registered with Singapore’s Optometrists and Opticians Board (OOB).
Available at Our Myopia Centres
Ortho-K is dispensed through our dedicated myopia centres, where specialised equipment and fitting services are available for Ortho-K assessment and care.
Advanced Diagnostics
We use corneal topography to assess the cornea for Ortho-K fitting, alongside axial length measurement to monitor eye growth where appropriate.
Open 7 Days a Week
With stores open every day, booking assessments and follow-up reviews easily fits around your schedule.
Family-Friendly Care
From children starting myopia management to adults wanting freedom from glasses, our team supports the whole family with approachable care.