Orthokeratology Lenses In Singapore- Stan Isaacs Ortho K

Discover Orthokeratology

Dream Your Way to Clear Vision

Nighttime Treatment, Daytime Clarity

What is Ortho-K?

Orthokeratology – also known as Ortho-K lenses – is a simple and safe way to correct your vision without surgery. The process involves special rigid gas permeable lenses worn overnight. These are designed especially and precisely for your eyes, after detailed measurements are taken of the surface of the cornea. Your Ortho-K lenses will gently reshape the cornea while you sleep. When you wake up and remove them, your cornea maintains this new shape, thus correcting your refractive error.

Ortho-K worn at night enables clear vision during the day without wearing glasses or contact lenses.

How does it work?

Ortho-K lenses use gentle pressure and fluid dynamics to reshape your cornea. This option can be appropriate for refractive errors such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. Most wearers notice improvement the very next day, though stronger prescriptions may take several weeks to fully stabilise.

The changes are temporary and fully reversible. If you stop wearing the lenses, your ocular surface should return to the original state and shape within weeks.

As it is reversible, there are few side effects. However: Like all contact lenses, Ortho-K requires proper hygiene and care to minimise risks such as allergies or infections.

Who can benefit from Ortho-K?

Ortho-K is ideal for:

Active individuals and athletes who prefer to avoid glasses or daytime contact lenses
People working in dusty, wet, or challenging environments
Those who experience discomfort with daily contact lenses due to dry eyes or allergies
Children and teenagers, especially those looking to slow myopia progression ¹
Adults who have undergone LASIK but experienced regression or prescription changes

There is no age limit to Ortho-K, making it suitable for both children and adults. However, your eyes must be healthy and free of disease or scarring. Unlike LASIK, Ortho-K does not require a minimum corneal thickness, so it can be a safe alternative for people who are not candidates for laser surgery.

What factors make someone a good candidate for Ortho-K?

Before beginning treatment, we must perform a thorough assessment. This is because Ortho-K is not be suitable for everyone. Key factors include:

1. Refractive Error

We evaluate your prescription to see if Ortho-K can provide effective correction for your myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism.

2. Corneal Shape and Structure

Using corneal topography, we map your cornea’s curvature to detect irregularities. For patients with prior corneal surgery, we may also use specular microscopy to assess corneal endothelial health.

3. Tear Film and Eye Surface Health

A stable tear film is crucial for comfort and lens performance. We check for dryness or surface issues that could impact lens fit or eye health.

4. Motivation and Hygiene Compliance

Since Ortho-K requires wearing lenses every night and proper cleaning, your commitment to hygiene and follow-up care is essential for success.

This depends more on the individual than age. Sometimes children under 10 (and their parents) can be more dutiful about their lens care and wear schedule than working adults.

5. Trial Lens Fitting

A trial fitting allows us to observe how the lenses interact with your eyes, predict your results, and make any necessary adjustments before finalising your custom lenses.

Typical Ortho-K Journey

After the First Night

The cornea begins reshaping immediately. Many people notice clearer vision the next day, though full refractive correction takes time.

After 1 Week

For mild prescriptions, vision usually stabilises within a week. Slight blur may remain, but improvement is significant. Progress depends on consistent lens wear, prescription strength, and corneal flexibility.

After 2 to 4 Weeks

Most wearers achieve stable and functional vision, including improved night vision. Those with stronger prescriptions may require a bit longer. Your optometrist will monitor your progress closely.

Important

Maintaining excellent lens hygiene is critical to avoid complications such as infections or allergies. We will provide clear and detailed guidance to keep your eyes safe and comfortable. Don’t worry, it isn’t too complicated or difficult and can be discussed with your optometrist during the consultation.

Why isn’t Orthokeratology more widely known?

Despite being FDA-approved and used successfully for decades, orthokeratology is still not not widely known amongst the general public. One reason is that relatively few eye care professionals are trained to offer it. A proper Ortho-K fitting requires specialised training and equipment for detailed corneal mapping, and clinical expertise that goes beyond standard contact lens practice.

It is estimated that only around 5% of eye care practitioners worldwide are trained and experienced in fitting Ortho-K lenses. As a result, many patients are not informed because their usual practitioner may not offer it.

Fitting Ortho-K lenses isn’t as straightforward as regular contact lenses. It involves:

Advanced equipment like corneal topographers, axial length, OCT

With regard to myopia, Ortho-K hasn’t been as publicised as surgical options like LASIK. Many people still believe vision correction is limited to glasses, daily contact lenses, or surgery as an adult. They are surprised to learn that there is a safe, non-surgical alternative they can wear while sleeping.

Thankfully, awareness is growing. As more parents research myopia control and adults look for alternatives to surgery, Ortho-K is gaining traction backed by a growing body of clinical research and success stories.

Why choose Stan Isaacs Optometrists?

With more than 25 years of expertise in Orthokeratology, we are proud to be among Singapore’s earliest adopters of Ortho-K. Our clinic offers a comprehensive, expert- guided approach from consultation to ongoing care. Using CNC lathe technology, we craft custom lenses with high oxygen-permeable materials to ensure safe and comfortable overnight wear.

Our team of experienced orthokeratologists provides personalised care for both children and adults, closely monitoring your progress to deliver the best possible and lasting vision outcomes. Trust us for a proven, patient-focused Ortho-K experience.