Yes it can. Orthokeratology, also known as ortho-k, involves the use of special contact lenses to slow or halt myopia (shortsightedness) in its tracks. This is most often achieved through hard contact lenses that are worn during sleep.

If you are worried about your prescription changing and in particular about your child’s eyesight getting progressively worse, orthokeratology might be just what you’ve been looking for.

Does ortho-k really work?

Previous generation ortho-k contact lens designs were hit and miss with high failure rates (i.e. myopia progression) but modern designs have a far higher success rate in the hands of an experienced practitioner. Myopia control involves more than just ortho-k.

Specially designed contact lenses are used in orthokeratology to reshape the cornea and temporarily correct or reduce myopia (short-sightedness). They are made from rigid gas permeable (RGP) material and usually only worn at night during sleep to flatten your child’s cornea and reduce or eliminate their myopia.

The common misconception is that the lenses press on the cornea, but that’s not how it works. In fact, the central part of the cornea shouldn’t have any pressure on it if the lens is fitting correctly. It is the negative pressure (which acts a bit like suction) in the outer zones of the cornea that alters the shape.