Orthokeratology Melbourne

Custom-designed Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses are worn overnight. RGP lenses are hard contacts that maintain their form and temporarily mould and reshape the cornea (the surface of the eye) as you sleep. Upon waking, your eye retains its reshaped state, allowing for clear vision without the need for day time corrective eyewear, like glasses or contacts.

Our OrthoK programme starts from $2,000 for both eyes. Medicare rebates and/or private health rebates may apply. It includes your lenses, with the ability to order additional or multiple lenses at no additional cost to get the optimal result, unlimited visits over the first six months, a three month starter supply of solutions, insertion and removal tools, and all imaging, corneal topography and axial length measurements during that period. Your individual fee depends on the lens design and prescription your eyes need. We will assess your eyes and explain your individual programme price before you decide to proceed. See our OrthoK fitting and fees page for the full breakdown and why the programme can cost more than $2,000. At Vision Camberwell Optometrists, we accept all major private health funds and can help you make the most of your eye care rebates.

OK lenses typically need replacing every one to two years, but it depends on your eyes and prescription. Read about OrthoK review and refitting. Contact us for more information about replacements.

Adults with myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness), and astigmatism are good candidates. It is also a good option if you’re active or athletic and don’t want to wear corrective eyewear. OrthoK is also suitable for children as young as 6 years old, especially to help prevent their eyes from deteriorating as they grow. Our team conducts thorough consultations to assess whether it is the appropriate treatment option for your needs.

Yes. Ortho-K lenses are specially designed to be worn while you sleep and are made to be comfortable. There can be a short adjustment period during the first few nights, particularly if you have never worn contacts before. Some people notice mild awareness of the lenses initially, but this usually settles quickly as your eyes adapt. Once you become used to them, Ortho-K is generally considered comfortable by most patients. Read our blog about a day in the life of an Ortho-K wearer to learn more.

At Vision Camberwell Optometrists, we have used Ortho-K to help patients with significant astigmatism. However, it is dependent on the shape of your eye. A detailed eye test can determine whether Ortho-K is suitable for your case.

Typically, improvements in vision can be noticed after a couple of nights of lens wear. Optimal vision is often achieved within one to two weeks.

Yes, OrthoK is a safe, non-invasive approach to vision correction when supervised by our trained professionals. However, as with all contact lenses, good hygiene practices and regular follow-up appointments are essential to minimise the risk of infections.

No, the vision-correcting effects of OrthoK are not permanent. If you stop wearing the lenses, your cornea will gradually return to its original shape, and your vision will revert to its previous state.

OrthoK and LASIK both aim to improve vision, but they differ significantly in their approach. LASIK is an optical surgical procedure that makes lasting changes to the eye’s structure. OrthoK doesn’t involve surgery and is completely reversible. It involves wearing overnight contact lenses that gently reshape the eyes. The non-invasive nature makes wearing ortho-k lenses the preferred option for those who don’t want or aren’t good candidates for surgery. Call our team to book an assessment and discuss which option is right for you.

Medicare rebates and/or private health rebates may apply to our OrthoK programme. The level of private health cover can vary depending on your provider and policy. See our OrthoK fitting and fees page for what the programme includes. For OrthoK lenses, we generally use private health fund item numbers 873 and 874, or other item numbers if your fund doesn’t accept these.

If you miss a night, your cornea will gradually return to its natural shape, which may cause blurry vision the next day. How quickly this happens depends on the individual. Some people notice only mild blur after one missed night, while others may experience more significant changes in vision. Wearing the lenses overnight again the next night will usually restore clear vision. For this reason, we recommend keeping an up-to-date pair of glasses or contacts as backup.

Children as young as 6 years old may be suitable for Ortho-K, provided they are able to manage lens handling and hygiene (with support from their parents).