Ortho-K Overview & Suitability
Who may consider Ortho-K?
Ortho-K can be useful for people who want clear daytime vision without routinely relying on glasses or daytime contact lenses. It may be considered for:
- children and teenagers with myopia who may benefit from a myopia-control assessment;
- adults who prefer not to wear glasses or contact lenses during the day;
- people with active lifestyles, sport or work where daytime eyewear can be inconvenient;
- people who have difficulty tolerating some forms of daytime contact-lens wear; and
- patients with higher prescriptions or more complex corneal profiles who want to find out whether a customised Ortho-K approach may be possible.
Suitability cannot be determined by age or prescription alone. Eye health, corneal shape, refractive error, ocular-surface condition, lifestyle, expectations and the ability to handle and care for the lenses all matter.
A proper assessment is therefore required before Ortho-K treatment begins.
How does Ortho-K work?
Ortho-K lenses have a specialised geometry designed to temporarily change the shape of the cornea while the lenses are worn overnight. This changes how light is focused when the lenses are removed the next morning, reducing the blur caused by myopia for a period of time.
The effect is temporary rather than permanent. If lens wear is stopped, the cornea gradually returns towards its untreated shape and the original refractive error returns. The time this takes varies between individuals.
Because the treatment effect depends on the relationship between the lens and the cornea, accurate corneal mapping, careful lens design and regular follow-up are important parts of the fitting process.
For a more detailed explanation of the treatment journey, see our guide to the Orthokeratology treatment process .
Ortho-K for children and myopia control
For a child with myopia, Ortho-K can serve two different purposes.
First, it can correct blurred distance vision so the child can see clearly during the day without wearing the Ortho-K lenses.
Second, Ortho-K may be prescribed as a myopia-control intervention to help slow excessive axial elongation of the eye.
Research reviewed by the International Myopia Institute supports Orthokeratology as one of the established optical options for slowing myopia progression in children.
However, the amount of benefit varies between children. Ortho-K does not guarantee that myopia will stop progressing.
At EMME, treatment decisions are not based on one number alone. Age, prescription, progression history, eye health, corneal findings, family history and other clinical measurements may all influence the management plan.
Parents who are primarily concerned about worsening childhood myopia can explore EMME's childhood myopia-control assessment and treatment options or read our Ortho-K guide for children .
Ortho-K for adults
Adults may consider Ortho-K when they want clearer daytime vision without routinely wearing glasses or daytime contact lenses.
This may be useful for sport, outdoor activities, certain working environments or simply personal preference.
Some adults enquire about Ortho-K because daytime soft contact lenses have become uncomfortable.
Ortho-K may be an option for some of these patients, but dry-eye symptoms, eyelid health, allergies and the ocular surface still need to be assessed carefully before fitting.
Ortho-K is non-surgical and its corneal reshaping effect is temporary. It should not be presented as equivalent to laser vision correction: continued lens wear is required to maintain the daytime vision effect.
Can Ortho-K be used for higher or more complex prescriptions?
Prescription strength is only one part of Ortho-K suitability.
Corneal shape, astigmatism, eye health, pupil size, treatment goals and the response to trial fitting can all affect what is realistically achievable.
EMME has experience managing more challenging Ortho-K fittings, including myopia around -8.00 dioptres.
In higher prescriptions, the treatment goal may differ from a straightforward lower-myopia fitting, and some patients may not achieve complete correction.
An individual assessment is necessary before the likely outcome can be discussed responsibly.
This is one reason we use corneal topography and individualised lens design rather than relying on prescription alone.
Is Ortho-K the only option for myopia control?
No. Ortho-K is one of several evidence-based approaches that may be considered for a child with progressing myopia.
Other options can include myopia-control spectacle lenses, specialised soft contact lenses and pharmacological treatment prescribed by an appropriate medical practitioner.
No single option is best for every child.
Treatment choice should take into account age, prescription, progression pattern, eye measurements, lifestyle, maturity, family preferences and the clinical findings from the assessment.
See our myopia-control service page for an overview of the different approaches and how EMME assesses myopia progression.
Assessment & Personalised Fitting
Your Ortho-K assessment and fitting process at EMME
Our aim is to understand the eye first, then design the lens around the individual.
The exact pathway can vary according to the case, but the usual Ortho-K fitting process at EMME includes:
1. Initial consultation and baseline eye assessment
We begin by checking your vision, prescription and eye health to determine whether Ortho-K is an appropriate option to consider.
For children, the wider myopia history and progression pattern are also important when Ortho-K is being considered as part of a myopia-control plan.
2. Detailed corneal mapping
EMME uses the Medmont Meridia for corneal topography. This produces a detailed map of the corneal surface and helps the optometrist assess corneal shape and plan the Ortho-K lens fit.
Corneal topography is particularly important because two people with the same glasses prescription may have very different corneal shapes and therefore require different lens designs.
3. Trial fitting
A trial fitting allows the optometrist to evaluate how the lens interacts with the eye before the final lens design is confirmed.
This helps us assess the lens position, movement and relationship with the corneal surface before proceeding further.
4. Individualised Ortho-K lens design
Ortho-K lenses are designed according to the person's corneal shape, prescription and fitting findings.
The aim is not simply to choose a standard lens according to the spectacle prescription, but to create a lens design suited to the individual eye.
5. Lens handling, hygiene and care training
Before overnight wear begins, we teach the wearer — and parents where appropriate — how to insert, remove, clean, disinfect and store the lenses safely.
We also explain what to look out for, when lens wear should be stopped and when the practice should be contacted.
6. First overnight wear and early reviews
After the first overnight wear, the eyes and treatment response are reviewed.
Further reviews are normally carried out at approximately:
- one week; and
- one month.
These appointments allow the optometrist to assess vision, the corneal response and the Ortho-K lens fit.
7. Ongoing review and monitoring
Once the early fitting period is stable, follow-up is generally scheduled every three months and may extend to every six months depending on the individual case.
Children undergoing myopia control may also require ongoing monitoring of their myopia progression as part of their wider management plan.
Structured follow-up is an important part of Ortho-K care. Lens fit, eye health, vision and treatment response can change over time, so Ortho-K should not be treated as a one-time lens purchase.
Ortho-K care with Jaycob Chin, FIAOMC
Jaycob Chin has 10 years of experience in Ortho-K fitting and myopia management.
He is a Fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (FIAOMC) , with clinical interests that include Orthokeratology, childhood myopia management and speciality contact-lens fitting.
Jaycob Chin's optometry education
- M.Sc. Clinical Optometry — Australia
- B.Sc. Optometry — United States
- Diploma in Optometry — Singapore
- FIAOMC — Fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control
Jaycob also has experience with higher and more complex Ortho-K fittings, including patients with myopia around -8.00 dioptres.
This does not mean every person with a similar prescription will be suitable for Ortho-K. Corneal shape, astigmatism, eye health, treatment goals and other clinical findings must be assessed individually.
A personalised approach to Ortho-K
Ortho-K is not a one-size-fits-all lens. Two people with a similar glasses prescription can have different corneal shapes, astigmatism, eye-health findings, lifestyle needs and treatment expectations.
At EMME Visioncare, we take time to explain what the fitting involves, answer questions and make sure the wearer — and parents where relevant — understand lens handling, care and follow-up before proceeding.
The goal is not simply to dispense a pair of night lenses. It is to build an individualised fitting and follow-up plan that the patient can use safely and confidently over time.
Results, Safety & Cost
How quickly does Ortho-K work?
Many wearers notice an improvement in daytime vision after the first nights of wear, but the time needed to reach a stable result varies.
Prescription, corneal shape, lens design and individual response all influence the adaptation period.
Early reviews are important because vision alone does not tell the whole story.
The optometrist also needs to assess the corneal response and lens fit and make adjustments where necessary.
For a more detailed explanation, read how quickly vision may improve with Ortho-K lenses .
Ortho-K safety and lens care
Ortho-K involves overnight contact-lens wear, so it carries contact-lens risks.
These include corneal inflammation and the uncommon but potentially serious risk of microbial keratitis, which is an infection of the cornea.
Proper candidate selection, lens fitting, hygiene, handling and regular professional follow-up are therefore essential.
Good Ortho-K lens-care habits include:
- washing and drying your hands before handling the lenses;
- using the cleaning and disinfection system recommended by your optometrist;
- avoiding tap water on the lenses or lens case;
- not swimming or showering while wearing the lenses;
- keeping the lens case clean and replacing it as instructed;
- avoiding lens wear when the eyes are red, painful or inflamed unless specifically advised otherwise; and
- attending recommended follow-up appointments even when vision seems satisfactory.
Stop lens wear and contact your eye-care practitioner promptly if you develop significant eye pain, persistent redness, light sensitivity, discharge or sudden blurred vision.
For practical care instructions, see our Ortho-K care and maintenance guide .
How much does Ortho-K cost at EMME Visioncare?
Ortho-K at EMME Visioncare starts from S$1,800.
The final fee depends on the complexity of the case, prescription, corneal shape, lens design and the fitting requirements identified during assessment.
Because Ortho-K is a clinical fitting service rather than an off-the-shelf product, the overall cost reflects more than the physical lenses alone.
Assessment, corneal mapping, fitting complexity and ongoing care all contribute to the treatment process.
At EMME Visioncare, a first-year Ortho-K package typically ranges from about S$1,800 to S$3,000+, depending on lens design and prescription. The package covers your suitability assessment, custom-designed lenses, fitting and follow-up visits during the first year.
Read our guide to Ortho-K pricing and what affects the cost for more information.
Ortho-K and myopia control at Jelita Mall
At our Jelita Mall branch (#02-17, 293 Holland Road), Ortho-K and children's myopia control are looked after by founder and optometrist Shawn Au, who has more than 25 years of experience in primary eye care. Open daily 10am–8pm. Book via WhatsApp 9383 8569.