Ortho-k for Children

At the Raleigh Contact Lens Institute, our doctors are nationally recognized speakers on the topic of myopia management and are highly experienced with advanced treatment options such as orthokeratology (ortho-k), MiSight 1 day contact lenses, and atropine therapy.

Unlike many general practices, our office is equipped with state-of-the-art technology that is rarely found in most optometry clinics. This allows our ortho-k specialists in Raleigh to provide highly customized treatment plans with the best possible results.

During your visit, you can expect a very thorough 1.5–2 hour exam, spent entirely one-on-one with the doctor. We carefully evaluate all available myopia control options for children and adults, ensuring plenty of time to explain which solutions—such as ortho-k, MiSight, or atropine—are best suited for your unique needs.

• Ortho-k not only corrects nearsightedness (myopia) but also helps slow the progression of myopia in children and young adults.
• Eliminates the need for glasses or daytime contacts, providing benefits such as:

1. Freedom from glasses improves quality of life — no worry about broken or lost glasses during school, sports, or play.
2. Studies show many children experience better academic performance and higher self-confidence with ortho-k.
3. Health, safety, and financial benefits — lower risk of eye infections from daily lens wear and reduced costs of replacing damaged or lost glasses.

• Most patients achieve maximum vision correction with orthokeratology (ortho-k) within about two weeks, though many notice significant improvements within just a few days.
• In the beginning, children may feel the presence of the lenses before falling asleep, but with regular use, ortho-k lenses become very comfortable.
• The vision correction effect is temporary. If nightly wear is stopped for 2–3 nights, the cornea gradually returns to its original shape, and the previous refractive error comes back.
• For the best results, consistent nightly wear of ortho-k lenses is essential to maintain clear vision throughout the day.

At The Raleigh Contact Lens Institute, we use advanced technology to create custom ortho-k lenses designed for your child’s unique eyes. During the exam, the doctor maps and measures the corneal surface using the Pentacam AXL Wave, a specialized device available in only a limited number of practices nationwide.

The Pentacam AXL Wave collects over 240,000 precise data points on the shape of the eye, allowing our doctors to design an individually tailored orthokeratology lens that delivers maximum comfort, safety, and effectiveness. This level of customization ensures the best possible results for vision correction and myopia management.

Orthokeratology (ortho-k) is considered a safe and effective treatment when proper hygiene and lens care are followed. The main risk is a higher chance of eye infection, such as microbial keratitis or bacterial keratitis, if lenses are not handled or cleaned correctly.

The good news is that ortho-k is often easier for children to manage at home compared to other lens types, making it a reliable option. With proper hand washing, nightly cleaning, and regular doctor check-ups, the risk of infection can be minimized, allowing children to safely benefit from clear daytime vision without glasses or contacts.

One of the most common questions we hear from parents and patients is: “What is the best brand of ortho-k contact lenses?” Others often ask about the cost of orthokeratology treatment or which ortho-k brand is the most affordable.

At The Raleigh Contact Lens Institute, our doctors have extensive experience fitting a wide range of FDA-approved ortho-k brands, including:

• Paragon CRT
• MoonLens
• WAVE Night Lenses
• VST Lenses
• EyeSpace
• Euclid Emerald

These trusted brands are among the most widely used in the U.S. and internationally for effective overnight vision correction and myopia control.

While we most frequently recommend the brands listed above, in certain cases we may also work with other specialty ortho-k manufacturers to provide the most customized solution for your child’s eyes.

If you have questions about which brand is right for your child, or want to learn more about ortho-k pricing and treatment options, we offer a free phone consultation. You can reach us at (919) 850 5910 or hello@raleighcontactlens.com.