OVERNIGHT MYOPIA CONTROL
Ortho-K for kids — slow myopia up
to 60%, overnight.
A custom contact lens your child wears only while they sleep. In the morning, they take it out and see clearly all day — no glasses, no daytime contacts. And research shows it can slow myopia progression by up to 60%.
ORTHO-K BASICS
What is Ortho-K?
Think of it like a dental retainer, but for the cornea. The lens is rigid and sits on the eye's surface overnight. Once your child takes it out in the morning, the cornea holds that new shape for the day. By the next night, it's started to drift back — so the lenses need to be worn every night to keep the effect going.
The myopia control effect is what makes Ortho-K different from just correcting vision. Because the lens changes how light focuses on the peripheral part of the retina, it signals the eye to slow down the elongation that drives myopia progression. That's the part we care about most — not just helping your child see today, but keeping their prescription from getting worse over the next 5 to 10 years
TIMELINE FOR ORTHO-K RESULTS
How quickly does it work?
In our experience fitting over 800 Ortho-K lenses, most kids go from their first night of wear to full-day clear vision within two weeks. Higher prescriptions sometimes take a bit longer — three weeks isn't unusual. The myopia control effect builds over the following months. Here's what a typical timeline looks like.
First wear
Your child wears the lenses for their first full night. Most kids sleep through fine — the lenses feel different at first, but settle in quickly.
Vision improves daily
Each morning is a bit sharper than the one before. By day 3 or 4, most kids can see well enough for school.
Full correction, all day
By the end of week 2, most kids have clear vision for all waking hours. Higher prescriptions may need a bit longer.
Stable, predictable vision
The morning-to-night vision pattern is stable. The myopia control effect kicks in over the following months.
ORTHO-K EFFICACY RESEARCH
Why does Ortho-K work so well?
Ortho-K is one of the most-studied myopia control treatments in children, with over 20 years of peer-reviewed clinical evidence. A landmark trial using toric Ortho-K lenses (the TO-SEE study) showed myopia progression slowed by up to 63% compared to kids in regular glasses. A 2016 network meta-analysis ranked Ortho-K among the top three most effective treatments alongside high-dose atropine and combination therapy.
Chen, Cheung & Cho, 2013 (TO-SEE)
Vincent et al., 2021 CLEAR review
What we see in practice — and what we
do when kids don't respond.
Published studies are one thing. What we actually see in practice is a range. Most kids respond well. Some respond exceptionally — virtually no measurable progression across two or three years of follow-up. But there are outliers: kids whose myopia keeps progressing despite good lens compliance and a well-fit lens.
For outliers, we don't just stay the course — we monitor closely and add low dose atropine to the treatment. A 2022 network meta-analysis of 19 trials (3,435 patients) found that combining Ortho-K with 0.01% atropine produces a synergistic effect, with efficacy comparable to high-dose atropine monotherapy (which typically delivers around 70% progression slowing) while avoiding the adverse effects related with high dose atropine. The combination isn't our first step — it's what we reach for when the single-treatment response isn't enough.
The long-term risks of uncontrolled myopia
These risks scale with how short-sighted someone becomes over a lifetime — not just the prescription at any one age. Slowing progression during childhood changes the trajectory, sometimes dramatically. Read more about why progression matters
Myopic maculopathy
Damage to the central retina. Risk roughly doubles with every additional dioptre above -3.00.
Retinal detachment
Significantly higher rates in high myopia. Can cause sudden, permanent vision loss.
Glaucoma
Elevated risk with axial elongation. Often silent until significant damage has occurred.
Early cataract
Onset typically years earlier in high myopes compared to people with no refractive error.
ORTHO-K CANDIDATES
Who is Ortho-K right for?
We fit Ortho-K for both children and adults. The lens does the same thing in each case — reshapes the cornea overnight. The difference is that kids also get the myopia control benefit, while adults get the freedom from daytime lenses. There's no upper age limit — we fit Ortho-K for kids from age 6 and for adults well into their 50s.
From age 6 onwards
- Children from age 6 — no upper age limit
- Active kids who play sports or swim
- Families wanting strong myopia control
- Kids who don't want glasses during the day
- Prescriptions still progressing despite normal glasses
Adults who want glasses-free days
- Athletes, surfers, tradies, shift workers
- People with stable myopia who don't want laser surgery
- Adults who find daytime contacts uncomfortable or dry
- Anyone whose work or lifestyle doesn't suit daytime lenses
- Patients who'd rather avoid a surgical procedure
Not sure if Ortho-K is the right fit?
We'll assess your child's eye shape and prescription in a myopia control consultation, then walk you through every myopia control option — Ortho-K, MiyoSmart, MiSight, or atropine — and tell you honestly which one we'd pick for your child.
THE ORTHO-K FITTING PROCESS
From first consult to clear morning vision
Starting Ortho-K takes five appointments over the first month — one initial assessment, a fit-and-teach session, a Day 1 teleconsult, and two in-practice follow-ups at Week 1 and Week 4. After that, reviews drop to every 6 months. The whole process is designed around catching issues early, not creating extra visits.
Initial assessment and suitability check
We measure your child's prescription, check eye health, and take a corneal topography scan — a 3D map of the eye's surface. This tells us whether Ortho-K is likely to work and which lens design will fit best. We'll also talk through every myopia control option so you can compare.
Fit appointment and lens teaching
We trial-fit the first pair of lenses in-chair, then teach your child (and you) how to insert, remove, and clean them. You'll go home with a starter kit — lenses, solutions, and a case — ready for night one.
Day 1 teleconsult
A quick phone or video check-in the morning after the first night. We ask how they found it, answer questions about insertion and removal, and flag anything we want to look at more closely at Week 1. No need to come back into the practice the next day — we save the in-chair reviews for when they count.
Early follow-ups
We monitor vision improvement, check fit stability, and answer any questions that have come up in real-world wear. If anything needs tweaking, this is when we do it.
Ongoing reviews
Ongoing care to track myopia progression, replace lenses each year, and adjust prescription as needed. We also check in on wear compliance — Ortho-K only works if the lenses are worn consistently.
OUR ORTHO-K EXPERIENCE
Why families choose us for Ortho-K
We've been fitting Ortho-K for over a decade — 800+ lenses and counting. That volume matters because it means we've seen the edge cases: the kids who don't adapt quickly, the fits that need three rounds of refinement, the prescriptions at the upper end of suitability. Experience with the outliers is what makes the standard cases straightforward.
Lenses fitted
Dr Mark Joung has personally fitted over 800 Ortho-K lenses — one of the higher volumes in Sydney independent optometry.
Full myopia toolkit
We offer every evidence-based myopia control option — Ortho-K, MiyoSmart, MiSight, and atropine. We recommend what's right for your child, not what we stock.
Member of the peak body
Dr Mark is a member of the Orthokeratology Society of Oceania, the peak body for Ortho-K across Australia and New Zealand.
ORTHO-K PRICING SYDNEY
Ortho-K pricing — no surprises
First-year Ortho-K at Concord Eyecare ranges from $1,600 to $2,200, and that covers your first two years of treatment — the fit, the lenses, the teaching, and all follow-ups through year two. From year three onwards, our maintenance packages including replacement lenses start from $1,000 per two years. We publish every tier online so you know what to expect before you walk in.
Standard fit
- Initial assessment and corneal topography
- Custom-fit standard Ortho-K lens
- Collection and teaching appointment
- Day 1 teleconsult
- Week 1 and Month 1 in-practice reviews
- All 6-monthly reviews through year two
- Replacement lenses as needed through year two
- Starter solutions kit
Specialised fit
- Everything in Standard
- Specialised lens geometry matched to your child's corneal shape
- Same clinical pathway — the upgrade is the fitting precision, not more appointments
Complex fit
- Everything in Standard
- Custom lens parameters for challenging prescriptions or corneal shapes
- Same clinical pathway — the upgrade is the fitting complexity, not more appointments
First two years, broken down by month
That covers the fit, the lenses, the teaching, and every review through year two. No annual add-ons.
HICAPS on the spot.
Ortho-K is claimable under extras cover on most private health funds. Annual limits, waiting periods, and how your fund classifies Ortho-K all affect your rebate — we check your specific fund at the initial assessment and give you the out-of-pocket figure before you commit.
Year 3+ maintenance
After year two, ongoing care costs drop significantly.
Once your child's fit is established, Year 3+ maintenance covers replacement lenses and all 6-monthly reviews for another two years at a flat rate. The maintenance tier follows from the initial fit — your child doesn't move up tiers unless a significant change to vision or fit requires a full refit, which is uncommon in practice.
Standard
Standard maintenance
- Replacement lenses every 2 years
- All 6-monthly reviews through years 3–4
Follows from a Standard initial fit
Specialised
Specialised maintenance
- Replacement lenses every 2 years
- All 6-monthly reviews through years 3–4
Follows from a Specialised initial fit
Complex
Complex maintenance
- Replacement lenses every 2 years
- All 6-monthly reviews through years 3–4
Follows from a Complex initial fit
What's not included: Contact lens solutions from year 3 onwards are not included — we stock the Soleko lens care range in-practice (the same system used during the fit) and cover solution options and pricing at your reviews. If a significant change in vision or fit requires a full refit (uncommon in practice), the initial fee structure applies. Bulk-billed reviews for children under 13 with valid Medicare continue where eligible.
ORTHO-K vs MIYOSMART vs MISIGHT
Ortho-K vs the alternatives
There's no single best myopia control treatment — just the best one for your child. Ortho-K, MiyoSmart, MiSight, and low-dose atropine all show strong evidence, each with different trade-offs in daytime experience, lifestyle fit, and who they suit best. Here's how they compare head-to-head.
| Treatment | How it works | Efficacy | Daytime experience | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ortho-K | Overnight rigid lens reshapes the cornea while sleeping | Up to 60% slowing | No glasses, no daytime lenses | Active kids, sports, swimming |
| MiyoSmart | Special glasses with DIMS technology (defocus zones in the lens) | ~60% slowing | Worn as glasses all day | Kids who prefer glasses over contacts |
| MiSight | Daily disposable soft contact lens with myopia control optics | 59% slowing | Soft contact worn during the day | Kids comfortable with contacts but not overnight wear |
| Low-dose atropine | Nightly eye drop that slows axial elongation | ~50–70% depending on dose | Still need glasses for clear vision | Combination therapy, contact-lens-averse kids |
ORTHO-K PARENT REVIEWS
What Ortho-K families say
"Mark was patient, kind, and professional, making her feel comfortable throughout the visit. We truly appreciate the clear explanations and the time taken to ensure she received the best care."
"I take my two kids here. My experience is that they are always very professional, with a lot of care and patience. Especially for my son who has just been fitted with OrthoK lenses. The after care service has been exceptional."
"I've always travelled to see Dr Mark. He was especially patient in helping my children transition into orthok, really took his time explaining and easing their anxiety. Big thank you for Dr Mark."
Ready to see if Ortho-K is right for your child?
Book a myopia control assessment with Dr Mark Joung, Dr Nikki Peng or Dr Vivian Li. We'll check suitability, walk through all myopia control options, and answer every question you have — without pressure.
ORTHO-K FAQ
Ortho-K questions, answered
Below are the eight questions parents ask us most often about Ortho-K — safety, age cut-offs, cost, sports, combination therapy with atropine, and what happens if treatment stops. If your question isn't covered here, call us on (02) 8765 9600 or raise it at your initial assessment.
Is Ortho-K safe for kids?
Yes. Ortho-K has a strong safety track record when fit properly and followed up regularly. The risks — mainly rare corneal infection — are the same as for any contact lens, and are managed through good hygiene, following the wear schedule, and attending reviews. We cover the full safety picture in detail on our Ortho-K safety page — worth a read if it's your main concern.
How old does my child need to be?
We typically start Ortho-K from around age 7 or 8, when a child can manage insertion and removal with a parent's help. We've fit kids as young as 6, and adults start any time — some begin in their 40s after years of glasses or contacts.
Can my child still play sports?
Yes — in fact, Ortho-K is often better than daytime contacts or glasses for sport because there's nothing on the eye during the day. No fogging, no lens loss, no glasses slipping, no goggle fit issues. Great for swimming too.
What happens if they stop wearing them?
The cornea gradually returns to its original shape over 2 to 4 weeks. There's no permanent damage — the effect is fully reversible. But myopia control only works while the lenses are being worn consistently.
What does it cost long-term?
The initial fit is $1,600 to $2,200 depending on fitting complexity, and that covers your first two years of treatment. From year three onwards, maintenance packages run $1,000 / $1,200 / $1,500 per two years (Standard / Specialised / Complex) — covering replacement lenses and 6-monthly reviews. Over a 10-year treatment period, total cost typically runs $5,600 to $8,200 — comparable to or less than daily disposable myopia-control contacts over the same period. Major prescription or fit changes that require a full refit are uncommon but charged at the initial fee.
Can I claim Ortho-K on private health insurance?
Yes — most private health funds with extras cover pay a rebate on Ortho-K, typically under either optical or contact lens benefit depending on the fund. Annual limits, waiting periods, and how your fund classifies Ortho-K all affect the rebate, so it varies a lot between policies. We run your specific fund through HICAPS at your initial assessment and give you the out-of-pocket figure in writing before you commit to fitting.
Are there any side effects?
Some kids notice halos around lights or slightly blurrier distance vision in the first week. These settle as the cornea adjusts. Mild dry eye can occur and is usually managed with lubricating drops.
How is Ortho-K different from regular contact lenses?
Regular contacts correct vision only while you wear them. Ortho-K reshapes the cornea overnight, so your child sees clearly without any lens during the day. The lens material and fit are also very different — Ortho-K lenses are rigid, custom-made, and designed specifically for overnight wear.
Can we combine Ortho-K with atropine eye drops?
Yes — and for kids who aren't responding as strongly as we'd like to Ortho-K alone, combination therapy is what we reach for. A 2022 network meta-analysis of 19 trials (3,435 patients) found combining Ortho-K with 0.01% low-dose atropine produces a synergistic effect, with efficacy comparable to high-dose atropine monotherapy. We'll discuss this at review visits if it looks relevant.
ORTHO-K CLINICAL REFERENCES
Clinical Sources
- Chen C, Cheung SW, Cho P. Myopia control using toric orthokeratology (TO-SEE study). Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 2013;54(10):6510–6517. Source for the "up to 60%" slowing figure (toric Ortho-K vs single-vision spectacles, 2-year axial elongation 63% slower).
- Sun Y, Xu F, Zhang T, et al. Orthokeratology to control myopia progression: a meta-analysis. PLOS ONE. 2015;10(4):e0124535.
- Huang J, Wen D, Wang Q, et al. Efficacy comparison of 16 interventions for myopia control in children: a network meta-analysis. Ophthalmology. 2016;123(4):697–708.
- Bullimore MA, Richdale K. Myopia control 2020: where are we and where are we heading? Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics. 2020;40(3):254–270.
- Vincent SJ, Cho P, Chan KY, et al. CLEAR — Orthokeratology. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye. 2021;44(2):240–269.
- Tsai HR, Wang JH, Huang HK, Chen TL, Chen PW, Chiu CJ. Efficacy of atropine, orthokeratology, and combined atropine with orthokeratology for childhood myopia: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Journal of the Formosan Medical Association. 2022;121(12):2490–2500. Source for the Ortho-K + 0.01% atropine combination therapy claim — 19 RCTs, 3,435 patients, synergistic effect comparable to high-dose atropine.
- Cho P, Cheung SW. Protective role of orthokeratology in reducing risk of rapid axial elongation: a reanalysis of data from the ROMIO and TO-SEE studies. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye. 2024.
Reviewed by Dr Mark Joung
B.Optom (Hons) UNSW, Graduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics, Advanced Paediatric Eye Care (UNSW). Member, Orthokeratology Society of Oceania. One of the first Australian optometrists to fit MiyoSmart lenses.
Last clinically reviewed: April 2026
BOOK YOUR ORTHO-K CONSULTATION
Ready to talk about Ortho-K
Book a myopia assessment with Dr Mark Joung. We'll check suitability, walk through all the options, and give you an honest answer on whether Ortho-K is the right fit for your child — no pressure, no upsell.