Ortho-K (orthokeratology) lenses are custom, breathable rigid gas-permeable lenses you wear only at night. While you sleep, they gently and temporarily reshape the front surface of your eye (the cornea) to correct your refractive error — your glasses number or power — most commonly myopia (nearsightedness).
You take them out in the morning and see clearly through the day without glasses or daytime contact lenses. The effect is temporary and reversible: stop wearing the lenses and your cornea gradually returns to its natural shape, so the correction is maintained by continuing nightly wear.
Non-surgical and fully reversible — stop wearing and the cornea returns to its natural shape.
Worn only at night; no glasses or contact lenses through the day.
A recognised option for myopia management in children.
Reverse-geometry designs for overnight wear carry FDA approval.
Typical fitting range: low-to-moderate myopia with limited astigmatism — confirmed by corneal mapping.
You are fitted with custom lenses mapped to your exact corneal shape. Overnight they apply gentle, even pressure that flattens the central cornea just enough to correct your focus. The lens material is highly oxygen-permeable, so the eye stays healthy while you sleep.
Insert clean lenses at bedtime; they gently reshape the cornea as you sleep.
Remove the lenses; vision is corrected for the day.
See clearly without glasses or daytime lenses.
Repeat nightly to maintain; stop and the cornea reverts naturally.
Ortho-K suits people who want freedom from daytime glasses and lenses but are not ready for — or not yet candidates for — laser vision correction, and it is especially valuable for children whose myopia is progressing. Suitability is confirmed only by a detailed eye examination and corneal mapping.
Children and teenagers with progressing myopia — parents wanting to slow the increase in power.
Adults with low-to-moderate myopia, with or without mild astigmatism, who prefer a non-surgical, reversible option.
People whose work or sport makes daytime glasses and lenses impractical — athletes, swimmers, dusty or screen-heavy environments.
Those not currently suitable for LASIK — below the age for surgery, or waiting for a stable prescription.
High myopia or significant astigmatism beyond the fitting range.
Certain corneal conditions identified during mapping.
Dry eye or ocular-surface disease.
Difficulty maintaining strict lens hygiene.
Not sure where you fall? A detailed corneal assessment gives a clear answer either way.
Not everyone is a candidate for Ortho-K. Individual results vary based on your prescription range, corneal shape and thickness, age, tear film and overall eye health, and can only be determined after a detailed evaluation with our doctors.
Related: Myopia treatment · LASIK eye surgery · Astigmatism
Childhood myopia tends to increase year on year as the eye grows. For many families the goal is not only clear vision today but slowing that progression. Peer-reviewed studies suggest that wearing Ortho-K lenses overnight can meaningfully slow the rate at which myopia advances in many children, compared with ordinary glasses — which is why it has become a widely used part of myopia management.
Because the lenses are removed each morning and the effect is reversible, many parents find it a reassuring, non-surgical option to discuss for a growing child. Whether Ortho-K is right for your child — and how much benefit to expect — depends on their age, prescription and eye health, and is decided together with our specialists.
Ortho-K is a management option that may slow myopia progression in some children; it is not a cure for myopia and does not guarantee that a child’s power will stop increasing. Outcomes vary and require ongoing specialist supervision.
Peer-reviewed meta-analyses report that overnight Ortho-K slows axial-length elongation in myopic children by roughly 40–50% versus single-vision glasses or contacts over about two years.
Ortho-K is non-surgical and reversible — the corneal reshaping fades over days if lenses are discontinued.
Overnight orthokeratology lens designs carry FDA approval for overnight wear.
Findings from peer-reviewed studies and meta-analyses; individual outcomes vary and are assessed at consultation.
Glasses-free days without surgery — a reversible, non-permanent option.
A recognised option for slowing myopia progression in many children.
Freedom for sport, swimming, dusty or screen-heavy environments.
Fully reversible — stop any time and the cornea returns to its natural shape.
Suitable for many who are not yet candidates for laser vision correction.
Fitted, trained and reviewed by senior specialists under a single roof.
Comfortable for most wearers after a short adjustment period. Individual results vary and depend on your prescription, corneal shape and eye health.
| Ortho-K | LASIK / Laser | Glasses / Day Lenses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surgery? | No — worn overnight | Yes — laser procedure | No |
| Reversible? | Yes, fully | No | Yes |
| Daytime freedom | Yes, glasses-free | Yes, glasses-free | No / lenses in day |
| Suitable for children | Yes — myopia management | Not until adulthood | Yes |
| Slows myopia progression | Studied for this | No | No (single-vision) |
| Maintenance | Nightly wear + reviews | One-time + follow-up | Ongoing |
Diagnosis, corneal mapping, fitting and every follow-up — under a single roof, led by our specialists.
Detailed eye exam and discussion of goals with our specialists.
Precise topography of your cornea to design lenses to your eye.
Trial lenses, insertion, removal and hygiene training, first overnight wear.
Clarity improves over the first days to about two weeks; interim lenses may be used as your prescription is dialled in.
Periodic check-ups to confirm fit, eye health and results, and to update lenses over time.
The cost of Ortho-K in India typically depends on your prescription, the lens design your eyes need, and the fitting and follow-up care involved — a complete Ortho-K fitting generally starts from a range in the tens of thousands of rupees for both eyes, including the specialist fitting and initial reviews.
Your exact cost is confirmed after your eye examination and corneal mapping. Easy EMI options are available to make treatment more affordable, and our counsellors set everything up for you.
Get Your Personalised Ortho-K EstimatePrices are indicative and starting-from only; the final cost is determined after an individual consultation and eye examination.
Your prescription and corneal shape
The lens design your eyes need
Specialist fitting and hygiene training
Initial reviews and follow-up schedule
Lens replacement cycle over time
Cashless and reimbursement support where applicable — see Policies and Insurance. Our counsellors will contact you — no sales, expert consultation.
When fitted by trained specialists and worn with good hygiene, Ortho-K has a long record of safe use worldwide, including in children. As with any contact-lens wear, the main risk is eye infection if lenses are not cleaned and handled correctly — which is why professional fitting, hygiene training and regular reviews matter.
Overnight Ortho-K lenses use highly oxygen-permeable materials, and reverse-geometry designs for overnight wear carry regulatory (FDA) approval for this use.
All contact-lens wear carries some risk. Follow hygiene and wear instructions and attend all reviews. Report any pain, redness or blurring promptly. Your doctor will explain individual risks and benefits at consultation.
Specialist-led — fitted and supervised by senior eye specialists, not handed off — every patient is seen by a specialist.
NABH-accredited hospital — with 20+ years and 1.2 lakh+ surgeries across the centre.
Single roof — examination, corneal mapping, fitting and follow-ups in one place, with shorter waits than high-volume chains.
Precise corneal mapping — modern diagnostics for a lens designed to your eye, not a standard template.
Transparent, consultation-led pricing — affordable care with Easy EMI options set up by our counsellors.
Ortho-K fitting & childhood myopia management team
Every Ortho-K fitting is planned from your corneal map by our senior specialists and reviewed personally through follow-up.
Meet Our DoctorsEvery Ortho-K lens starts with a precise map of your eye. Corneal topography — using the OCULUS Pentacam at our centre — captures the exact shape and thickness of your cornea in seconds, so your lenses are designed to your eye, not a standard template.
The same mapping is repeated at reviews to confirm the reshaping is even, the fit is healthy, and your vision stays on track.
About the OCULUS Pentacam“My son’s glasses power was climbing every year. With Ortho-K he’s glasses-free at school and the team explained everything patiently.”
“I swim every morning, so daytime lenses were never practical. The fitting and training were thorough, and my reviews have been on time, every time.”
“We came for a second opinion on our daughter’s rising power. They mapped her cornea, explained what Ortho-K can and cannot do, and never pushed.”
Individual results vary. Testimonials reflect personal experiences and are not a guarantee of outcome. Shared with patient consent.
The questions parents and first-time wearers ask us most. For anything specific to your eyes, a consultation gives the clearest answer.
Medically reviewed by the medical team at Dayal Eye Centre · Last reviewed: 24 July 2026 · Editorial Policy