Night Lenses (Orthokeratology)

Clear vision by day — myopia control by night

What are night lenses?

Night lenses — also called orthokeratology or Ortho-K — are custom-made contact lenses worn overnight while you sleep.
They gently reshape the front surface of your eye (the cornea) so you can see clearly all day without glasses or contact lenses.
The effect is temporary, so the lenses need to be worn regularly at night.

How do they help control short-sightedness (myopia)?

Research shows that Night Lenses don't just correct vision — They can also slow down the progression of myopia in children.
By reshaping the cornea, night lenses change how light focuses inside the eye, creating a “myopic defocus” pattern that tells the eye to slow its growth.
Slower growth = slower increase in prescription.

What does the research say?

• Large studies and clinical trials show that Ortho-K can slow myopia progression by around 40–50% compared with standard single-vision spectacles.

• In one key 2-year trial (the ROMIO study, Cho & Cheung, 2012), children wearing Ortho-K lenses had 43% less eye growth than those wearing glasses.

• Meta-analyses (combining many studies) confirm a ≈45% average reduction in myopia progression.

Everyday benefits

✅ No glasses during the day — clear vision from morning to night.
✅ Freedom to play and learn — no worries about broken specs or lost lenses.
✅ Great for sport and swimming (with goggles if needed).
✅ Comfortable and safe when cared for properly.
✅ Proven myopia control to help protect your child’s future eye health.

Are there any risks?

All contact lenses carry some risk, especially with overnight wear.
The main concern is eye infection (microbial keratitis) — very rare, but serious if not treated quickly.
Estimated risk is about 5–7 cases per 10,000 patient-years, similar to other overnight contact lens types.

Other possible issues:

• Eye irritation or redness

• Lens movement or discomfort

• Allergic reactions or dryness

Good hygiene, regular check-ups, and prompt action if the eye is sore or red keep risks very low.

Is my child suitable?

Night lenses may be suitable if your child:

• Is short-sighted (usually between –1.00 D and –5.00 D)

• Has healthy eyes

• Can follow simple hygiene steps with parental help

• Has a progressing prescription and you want to slow it down

Your optometrist will carry out detailed measurements to check suitability.

In summary

Benefits

Risks / Responsibilities

• Clear daytime vision

• Requires careful hygiene

• 40–50% slower myopia progression

• Small infection risk

• No glasses or daytime contacts

• Regular reviews needed

Want to know more?

Talk to our optician team about night lenses and myopia control.
We’ll assess your child’s prescription, eye shape, and lifestyle to see if Night Lenses are the right choice.