Orthokeratology (OrthoK) Lenses Glasgow

Orthokeratology — often called OrthoK, Ortho-K, or overnight vision correction — lets you or your child see clearly all day without wearing glasses or contact lenses, by gently reshaping the cornea overnight. At Peter Ivins Eye Care in Bearsden, Glasgow — Scotland’s first dedicated myopia management clinic, launched in 2013 — OrthoK lenses are fitted and reviewed by optometrist and director Craig McArthur as part of our myopia control service.

What Is Orthokeratology?

OrthoK lenses are rigid, gas-permeable contact lenses worn overnight. While you sleep, they gently reshape the front surface of the eye (the cornea), which is what focuses light onto the retina. You remove the lenses in the morning, and the temporary change in corneal shape gives clear vision through the day — without glasses or daytime contact lenses.

How Does OrthoK Work?

OrthoK lenses are sometimes described as overnight contact lenses for myopia, since they’re worn only while you sleep rather than during the day.

1. Put your lenses in before bed. They’re worn overnight, not during the day.
2. Wake up and remove them. The temporary reshaping effect gives clear vision through your waking hours.
3. Repeat nightly. The effect is temporary, so lenses need to be worn regularly to maintain clear daytime vision — this is not a permanent change to the eye.

Who Can Have Orthokeratology?

Orthokeratology is commonly used for people with low to moderate short-sightedness, though suitability depends on your individual prescription and corneal shape rather than prescription alone. We assess this fully at your appointment before recommending OrthoK.

It’s a popular choice for:

• Children needing myopia control, particularly those with a strong family history of myopia or myopia developing at a young age
• Active children and adults involved in sports, since no lenses or glasses need to be worn during the day
• Some people who struggle with daytime contact lens wear because of dryness or environmental factors, though this depends on individual circumstances and isn’t the case for everyone

How Much Does Orthokeratology Cost?

Orthokeratology is a customised treatment rather than an off-the-shelf contact lens, so cost reflects the fitting, lenses and ongoing care involved rather than a single one-off fee. At Peter Ivins Eye Care, this includes:

• A £100 fitting cost, covering your initial assessment and lens fitting
• Approximately £70 per month, covering ongoing lens supply and care
• 3–6 monthly check-ups with an expert, to monitor your eye health and the fit of your lenses
• Emergency care if required
• Custom-made premium OrthoK lenses, replaced every 6 months to reduce infection risk and maintain precise vision
• Premium contact lens solution and eye drops, as required

Current fees are reviewed periodically, so please contact us for the latest pricing before booking. Call us on 0141 943 3300 for a full breakdown specific to your prescription, or your child’s.

Orthokeratology for Sport

OrthoK is particularly popular with swimmers, footballers, rugby players, dancers and other active children and adults who don’t want glasses moving during sport, and don’t want the hassle of daytime contact lenses during matches or training.

Orthokeratology for Adults

OrthoK isn’t only for children — many adults choose it to avoid daytime glasses or contact lenses, particularly those with active lifestyles or professions where daytime lenses or glasses are impractical. Because it’s fully reversible, it’s also worth considering as an alternative for adults not ready for, or not eligible for, refractive surgery.

OrthoK for Myopia Control in Children

As well as correcting vision, OrthoK is one of the established options for slowing myopia progression in children. In the ROMIO study (Cho & Cheung, 2012), a two-year randomised clinical trial, children wearing orthokeratology lenses showed around 46% slower axial elongation than children wearing single-vision spectacles. Slowing this elongation of the eye is linked to a reduced lifetime risk of serious eye conditions in adulthood, including retinal detachment, glaucoma and myopic maculopathy.

Suitability for myopia control with OrthoK, and how it compares with our other myopia control contact lens and spectacle lens options, is assessed individually — see our full Myopia Control Contact Lenses page for the other options we fit.

Why Choose Peter Ivins Eye Care for Orthokeratology in Glasgow?

• Scotland’s first dedicated myopia management clinic, established in 2013
• OrthoK fitted and reviewed as part of a full myopia assessment, not in isolation
• Oculus Myopia Master axial length monitoring, tracking eye growth alongside prescription
• Myopia management led by Craig McArthur, an internationally recognised myopia expert
• Families attend from across Glasgow and throughout Scotland for specialist myopia management

About Craig McArthur

Craig McArthur is the optometrist and director of Peter Ivins Eye Care, and an international lecturer on childhood myopia management. He has led myopia control at the practice since founding Scotland’s first dedicated myopia management clinic in 2013, and personally assesses and reviews OrthoK fittings.

How to Book an Orthokeratology Assessment

Call our reception team on 0141 943 3300, email Craig directly at craig@peterivins.co.uk, or book an OrthoK consultation online using our live web diary.

Orthokeratology vs. Laser Eye Surgery

Orthokeratology	Laser Eye Surgery
Non-surgical	Surgical
Fully reversible	Surgically alters the cornea
Suitable for children as well as adults	Usually adults only
Overnight lenses, worn regularly	One-off procedure
Ongoing lens wear required to maintain the effect	No lenses required afterwards

Which is right for you depends on your prescription, age, lifestyle and personal preference — we’re happy to discuss both options at your assessment.

What Happens at an OrthoK Assessment?

Your assessment covers everything needed to establish whether OrthoK is right for you or your child, and to begin the fitting process:

1. Corneal measurements. We map the shape of your cornea in detail, which determines whether OrthoK is suitable and informs the lens design.
2. Lens selection. Based on these measurements, along with your prescription and lifestyle, we select the right lens design for you.
3. Fitting. Your custom lenses are fitted and checked to ensure they sit correctly and comfortably.
4. Follow-up. We review your vision and eye health at scheduled check-ups as you settle into wearing your lenses, adjusting the fit if needed.

Common Questions About Orthokeratology

Is OrthoK safe?

OrthoK is a well-established, non-surgical treatment, fitted only after assessing your (or your child’s) corneal shape, prescription and eye health. As with any contact lens, following the cleaning and wear schedule we set out is important to reduce the risk of infection.

Is OrthoK reversible?

Yes — the corneal reshaping effect is temporary. If you stop wearing the lenses, the cornea returns to its original shape over time and your original prescription returns.

What age can my child start OrthoK?

There’s no fixed minimum age — suitability depends on your child’s prescription, corneal shape and maturity in handling and caring for lenses, which we assess individually. We have children as young as 4 years old successfully wearing OrthoK contact lenses.

Can adults have OrthoK, or is it only for children?

Both — OrthoK corrects vision for adults who want to avoid daytime glasses or lenses, and is also fitted for children specifically for myopia control, depending on the goal of treatment.

How is OrthoK different from laser eye surgery?

OrthoK is non-surgical and fully reversible — it uses a contact lens to temporarily reshape the cornea, rather than permanently altering it. It can be a suitable option for people not ready for, or not eligible for, refractive surgery.

How much does OrthoK cost?

Fitting costs £100, with ongoing lens supply and care at approximately £70 per month — see our full cost breakdown above for exactly what’s included. Call us on 0141 943 3300 with any questions specific to your prescription.

Can I buy OrthoK lenses online?

No — OrthoK lenses are custom-made for your individual eye shape and must be fitted and monitored by a qualified optometrist. They aren’t available as an off-the-shelf or home-fit product.

How long does it take to see results with OrthoK?

Many people notice improved vision within the first few nights, with full effect typically settling in over one to two weeks of regular overnight wear. We review your vision at each stage to check progress.

What are the risks or side effects of OrthoK?

As with any contact lens, the main risk is infection if lenses aren’t cleaned and worn as directed. This is why OrthoK is fitted and reviewed only through a qualified optometrist, with regular check-ups to monitor your eye health.

How do I clean and look after OrthoK lenses?

We’ll give you a specific cleaning and storage routine for your lenses, often using a hydrogen-peroxide-based cleaning system suited to rigid gas-permeable lenses. Following this routine closely is important for both comfort and eye health.

Does insurance or the NHS cover OrthoK in the UK?

OrthoK is normally provided as a private service, like our other myopia management services. Standard NHS eye examinations do not include the specialist fitting, lenses and monitoring that OrthoK requires.

Is OrthoK the same as “retainer lenses”?

Yes — OrthoK lenses are sometimes called retainer lenses or overnight vision correction lenses, since they’re worn overnight to maintain clear daytime vision, similar to how a dental retainer maintains a corrected position.

Can I travel or fly with OrthoK lenses?

Yes — OrthoK lenses travel just like any other contact lenses. Pack your lens case, solutions and a spare pair of glasses as backup, as you would for any contact lens trip.