Ortho-K Lens Care & Maintenance Guide | EMME Visioncare

Ortho-K Lens Care & Maintenance Guide

Good Ortho-K lens care comes down to three habits: wash and dry your hands before every handle, clean and disinfect with the solution your optometrist prescribed (never tap water), and store the lenses in fresh solution in a clean case. Done consistently, this routine protects both your daytime vision results and the long-term health of your eyes.

This guide walks through handling, cleaning, storage, insertion and removal, troubleshooting, and follow-up care for your overnight Ortho-K lenses. It is general guidance for our Singapore patients — always follow the specific instructions given to you at your fitting and aftercare visits.

Ortho-K at EMME Visioncare is led by Jaycob Chin, FIAOMC, Fellowship of the American Academy of Orthokeratology & Myopia Control (AAOMC).

Quick care checklist

• Always wash and dry your hands before touching your lenses.
• Never use tap water on the lenses or the case.
• Only use the cleaning and storage solution recommended by your optometrist.
• Replace your lens case every three months, and your lenses yearly.
• Attend your scheduled follow-up visits — they keep the fit and your eyes healthy.

1. Hand hygiene and handling

Most contact-lens problems trace back to hygiene, so this step matters more than any product:

• Wash thoroughly. Use a mild soap with no added moisturisers, perfumes or oils — these leave a film on the lens that can irritate your eyes.
• Dry with a lint-free towel so no fibres transfer to the lens surface.
• Handle gently on a clean, dry surface. Ortho-K lenses are durable but can chip or crack if dropped or pinched roughly.

For a broader refresher that applies to all lens wearers, see our contact lens hygiene tips.

2. Cleaning and disinfecting

Ortho-K lenses are rigid gas-permeable lenses, so they use dedicated RGP-compatible care systems — not soft-lens solutions. Your optometrist will prescribe one of the following approaches:

• Peroxide-based systems use hydrogen peroxide to deep-clean and disinfect, then neutralise it (via a special case with a catalytic disc) into harmless saline before wear. Suitable for sensitive eyes or those prone to deposits.
• Multipurpose RGP solutions clean, disinfect, rinse and condition in one bottle — convenient for daily use.
• Protein-removal products (enzymatic) clear the tear-protein build-up that daily cleaning leaves behind. Typically used about once every two weeks, or as advised.

Always use fresh solution every time — never "top up" old solution, as this reduces its disinfecting power. Follow the exact products and routine your optometrist gave you rather than switching brands on your own.

3. Storing your lenses

• Store lenses in a clean case filled with fresh disinfecting solution every time.
• Rinse the empty case with solution (not tap water) and let it air-dry between uses.
• Replace the case every three months, or sooner if it looks worn or cloudy.

4. Inserting your lenses

Insert your lenses about 10 minutes before bed so they settle comfortably:

1. Wash and dry your hands, and work in a clean, draught-free spot — plug the sink as a precaution.
2. Check the lens is clean, undamaged and the right way up (it should sit like a small bowl on your fingertip).
3. Hold your upper lid with your non-dominant hand, pull your lower lid down with the middle finger of your dominant hand.
4. Look straight ahead, place the lens gently on the centre of your eye, then release your lids slowly and blink to settle it.

If your eyes feel a little dry on insertion, use only the preservative-free re-wetting drops your optometrist recommends. If dryness is a recurring issue, our dry eye care page explains the options.

5. Removing your lenses

In the morning, make sure the lens is moving freely before removing it — a drop or two of re-wetting solution helps a stuck lens release.

1. Wash and dry your hands and stand over a clean surface or plugged sink.
2. Place the suction removal tool (plunger) on the centre of the lens, then lift the lens away together with the tool.
3. Lid method (if no plunger): looking into a mirror, separate your lids past the lens edge and gently press the lids inward so the lens lifts off the eye.

6. Troubleshooting common issues

• Gritty or scratchy feeling: remove the lens, inspect for debris or damage, clean and rinse, then reinsert.
• Lens feels "stuck" (bound): never force it. Apply a re-wetting drop, wait, then gently nudge the white of the eye near the lens edge to free it.
• Redness, pain or discharge: remove the lenses immediately, do not rub, and contact us for advice. Persistent symptoms are always worth a same-day check.

Ortho-K is a non-surgical, fully reversible form of vision correction, and serious problems are uncommon when lenses are worn as instructed. You can read more about the risks and how we minimise them on our is Ortho-K safe page.

7. When not to wear your lenses

Skip a night when you are unwell, have an eye infection, your eyes are red or watery, or a lens looks damaged. The simple rule: if in doubt, leave them out, and replace any cracked or chipped lens before wearing it again.

8. Follow-up care and lens replacement

Follow-up visits are how we confirm the lenses still fit well, your cornea is reshaping as planned, and your eyes stay healthy. Appointments are more frequent at the start, then settle to roughly every three to six months once your vision stabilises.

We recommend replacing your Ortho-K lenses yearly for the best comfort, vision and safety — tiny surface scratches and deposits build up with normal use over time. For what ongoing aftercare and replacements involve, see understanding Ortho-K pricing. New to the night lenses themselves? Our guide on things to know about Ortho-K night lenses is a good primer, and parents managing a child's short-sightedness can read about our myopia control options.

Our Singapore branches

EMME Visioncare @ The Cathay — 2 Handy Road, #02-13 The Cathay Mall, Singapore 229233 (beside Dhoby Ghaut MRT). Tel: (65) 8690 3598.
Ortho-K fitting and aftercare are based here. View branch details or book an appointment.

EMME Visioncare @ HarbourFront — 1 Maritime Square, #02-63 HarbourFront Centre, Singapore 099253. Tel: (65) 9383 8569.

If you have an eye emergency

If you have sudden pain, marked redness, discharge, light sensitivity or blurred vision, remove your lenses straight away and contact us. For the fastest response, reach our Cathay clinic on (65) 8690 3598 or book an appointment online. If symptoms are severe or worsening, seek medical attention promptly.

Frequently asked questions

Can I rinse my Ortho-K lenses with tap water?

No. Tap water can carry microorganisms that cause serious eye infections. Only ever use the cleaning, rinsing and storage solution your optometrist prescribed for your rigid gas-permeable lenses.

How often should I replace my Ortho-K lenses and case?

Replace the lens case every three months, and the lenses themselves yearly, for the best comfort, vision and safety. Surface scratches and deposits accumulate with normal wear and gradually reduce performance.

What should I do if a lens feels stuck in the morning?

Do not force it. Add a re-wetting drop, wait a moment for the lens to move freely, then remove it gently with your plunger or the lid method. If it stays bound or your eye is sore, contact us before wearing the lens again.

Do I need to clean my lenses if I only wear them at night?

Yes. Lenses are cleaned and disinfected after every removal and stored in fresh solution, plus a deeper enzymatic clean roughly every two weeks. Overnight wear does not reduce the need for daily care.

Where can I get my Ortho-K aftercare in Singapore?

Ortho-K fitting and aftercare are provided at our branch at The Cathay, beside Dhoby Ghaut MRT. We also have a location at HarbourFront Centre. Book a review if you need a check-up or replacement lenses.