Ortho-K

Orthokeratology Newcastle

We are one of the only Newcastle optometrists to offer orthokeratology for myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Orthokeratology (Ortho-k) treatment uses special overnight contact lenses to correct vision while you sleep. The overnight correction enables you to enjoy natural clear vision all day without glasses or daytime contact lenses.

Orthokeratology is worth considering if you:

• Find wearing glasses or contact lenses during the day a hassle
• Play sport, especially water sports such as swimming or surfing
• Are concerned about worsening myopia (short-sightedness)
• Work in dry or dusty environments, for example building & construction, mining or outdoors
• Experience dry eyes in air-conditioned office environments
• Enjoy going to the beach
• Are concerned about the risks of laser surgery (LASIK, PRK etc)
• Simply dislike wearing glasses (or conventional contact lenses) during the day

What does Ortho-K treatment involve?

Orthokeratology treatment involves the wearing of custom-made rigid contact lenses (or “moulds”) to gently reshape the cornea whilst we sleep. On awakening, the lenses are removed and you can see clearly all day without glasses or contacts!

What type of prescriptions can Orthokeratology treat?

Orthokeratology can be used to treat myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. It is a very effective treatment for controlling myopia progression, so has a special advantage for children & teenagers with worsening vision, because it actually helps to slow down, or even stop, the progression of myopia (short-sightedness). The beauty of Ortho K is it’s reversible, adaptable to script changes, and surgery free.

Orthokeratology (OrthoK) overnight vision correction is available for adults, teens, & children at Custom Eyecare in Newcastle.

 Click here to arrange your baseline initial examination to commence ortho-K

Is Ortho-K new?

Orthokeratology was discovered almost by accident back in the 1960s but the technology then was too limited to provide good results. In recent years, advances in computerised corneal mapping & lens manufacturing technology allowed a huge increase in accuracy and reliability.

Very few optometrists in Newcastle or the Hunter Region of NSW have the equipment and expertise to offer orthokeratology, but it’s available at Custom Eyecare (formerly known as Marketown Optical) in Newcastle’s Darby Street.

How does it work?

Ortho-K uses fluid surface tension and suction forces to gently “pull” or reshape the cornea into the correct shape overnight while you sleep, to correct your vision.

We monitor the vision and corneal contour changes at each review appointment.

Am I suitable for orthokeratology?

We can treat myopia (short-sightedness) up to around -6.00 dioptres with orthokeratology. Higher amounts than this can be partially treated, still with the full myopia-control benefits, along with “top-up” glasses for when the sharpest vision is needed. We can also treat low amounts of astigmatism with orthoK, when it’s present along with myopia, as well as hyperopia (long-sightedness).

Watch this video to find out more about your suitability for Ortho-K:

Is ortho-k suitable for children?

Ortho-K works just as well on children as adults, and so the lower age limit really depends on the maturity, motivation, willingness and ability of the child (with parental supervision) to insert, remove & clean the lenses hygienically. We have successfully treated short-sighted children as young as six years old with orthokeratology.

What does Orthokeratology cost?

Once you’ve had your baseline eye examination and corneal topography mapping ($196 for both) showing that you’re suitable, the cost of your orthokeratology treatment program is typically $2210, but can be up to $3360 for higher prescriptions. This includes your first pair of lenses, a starter pack of solutions and accessories, any lens modifications or remakes required during the fitting process, and all fitting and checkup visits for the first six months. After that, you only need routine checks every six months, and lens replacement perhaps every 12-18 months (depending on how well you look after them) at $630 each lens.

Over time, the cost of orthokeratology works out to be comparable to wearing regular disposable soft contact lenses and glasses.

You can normally claim a modest rebate from Medicare for the initial baseline consultation. And if you’re in a private health fund with ancillary (extras) cover, you should be able to claim an annual rebate for the rigid gas permeable contact lenses used in orthokeratology (health fund item 812).

View our orthokeratology fees and charges page for more information.

What can I expect from an Ortho-K treatment?
Watch this video:

Contact us to arrange your baseline initial examination to commence ortho-K!

Orthokeratology is also known as “Ortho-K”, “OK”, Overnight Vision Correction (OVC), Overnight Corneal Reshaping (OCR), “CRT” (Corneal Reshaping Therapy) or Gentle Vision Shaping System (GVSS), and possibly other names we haven’t heard of! 🙂

Orthokeratology Links

• Ortho-K Solution & Equipment Guide
• Wikipedia article on orthokeratology
• “All About Vision” article on orthokeratology – All About Vision is a huge online publication with independent consumer information on all eye health and vision correction topics.
• Orthokeratology Society of Oceania (OSO) –  formerly the Orthokeratology Society of Australia (OSA), the OSO supports professional development, education and communication among orthoK practitioners in Australia and our surrounding region.
• International Academy of Orthokeratology (IAO) – the global peak body for scientific research and training in orthokeratology
• European Academy of Orthokeratology – promotes orthokeratology science & education in Europe
• Orthokeratology Academy of America – devoted to the research and education of orthokeratology