Is your child interested in not having to wear glasses or contact lenses during the day?

Thanks to new advances in technology known as Orthokeratology or “Ortho K” you might not have to.

Orthokeratology (Ortho K)

What is Ortho K?

Ortho K is a non-surgical procedure to gently reshape the cornea while you sleep, eliminating the need to wear spectacles or contact lenses during the day. Specially designed rigid gas permeable lenses are used to do this. You put them in at bedtime and remove them on waking. This is a safe and effective treatment that can correct a range of refractive errors including near sightedness, far-sightedness and a small amount of astigmatism. It’s a fantastic alternative to laser eye surgery and is completely reversible.  There is plenty of evidence to suggest it may help in slowing the progression of myopia (short sightedness) in children.

How does it work?

When a person needs to wear glasses or contact lenses to see clearly it is because their eyes can’t focus the light onto their retina. Ortho K lenses gently reshape the cornea so that the light is once again sharply focused onto the retina. To create the correct contact lens design, the surface curvature of the cornea is mapped using a topography machine. This information, as well as the patient’s refraction is used to design the customized lens.

  • Eye fitted with Ortho K lens

  • Eye after 8 hours wear

  • Eye with Ortho K lens removed

Is it safe?

Ortho K is very safe as we only use the highest quality gas permeable contact lens materials and it totally reversible. However, as with all forms of contact lens wear, there is a slight risk of infection. This is extremely rare and that is why we give careful cleaning instructions and advise regular progress visits with our optometrist to reduce this risk.

Can I wear ortho K lenses?

If you are interested in talking about Ortho K with one of our optometrists, you can click here to make a complimentary 30 minute screening appointment to assess your suitability. If you are an existing Gates Eyewear patient, we may already have the required information on file. If Ortho K is a suitable option book here for you first comprehensive eye appointment.

What’s involved?

 

Initial appointment

Full eye examination and corneal topography. Once we have all the data we design your bespoke ortho K contact lens. It takes about a week to make.

 

Second appointment

One week later. Once the contact lens is made, we assess the fit and teach you how to insert and remove the lens and how to care for it.

Third appointment

First overnight wear. We see you first thing in the morning to ensure that the process is happening as planned.

 

Fourth appointment

The process takes a few weeks to complete the reshaping process so we like to see you a week later to make sure things are going as they should be.

Fifth appointment

Just to see how you are progressing.

 

Sixth appointment.

Once again, just checking on the health of your eyes and your vision. Then it is an annual appointment as usual.

 

Costs

Standard Ortho K $2150 including GST

For spherical myopia or hyperopia

Complex Ortho K $2250 including GST

Advance ortho K for high prescriptions or astigmatism 

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As a Southern Cross provider we can bill on your behalf.

 

Our costs include all appointments and follow up appointments for the first year, one pair of custom designed Ortho K lenses and lens care solutions for the first three months. Further supply of disinfecting solution and lubricating drops can be purchased at an additional cost. 

After one year the normal eye appointment charges apply of $150 for an annual eye exam. 

Most ortho K contact lenses last one year, when treated with care. Replacement Ortho K lenses range between $550.00 and $675.00 for each lens.

If your medical insurance policy covers optometry appointments and optical wear, then part of this charge may be covered. We can bill Southern Cross on your behalf to make it all super easy.