Ortho-K. Clear vision by day, worn only at night.
Custom-fit overnight contact lenses that gently reshape your child's cornea while they sleep, slowing the progression of short-sightedness without daytime glasses or contacts. TGA approved. Fitted at nine 1001 Optometry clinics across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
progression vs glasses
across three states
in initial fitting fee
for myopia control
What is Ortho-K?
Ortho-K, short for orthokeratology, is a non-surgical Ortho-K treatment that uses custom-fit Ortho-K contact lenses worn only at night. The overnight contact lenses gently and reversibly reshape the front of the eye while your child sleeps, so the next morning your child sees clearly without glasses or daytime contacts.
Ortho-K is approved by the TGA, and is used worldwide as one of the most effective ways to slow myopia progression in children. Searching for Ortho-K Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane? 1001 Optometry fits Ortho-K lenses at nine clinics across the three cities.
How does Ortho-K work?
Wear overnight
Your child wears the Ortho-K lenses for 7 to 8 hours overnight while they sleep.
Cornea reshapes
The lenses gently reshape the cornea — the clear front surface of the eye.
Clear all day
In the morning the lenses come out, and clear vision lasts all day.
Fully reversible
If your child stops Ortho-K, the eye returns to its original shape within days.
Ortho-K also creates a peripheral defocus signal at the back of the eye, which is what slows axial elongation — the underlying cause of progressive myopia.
Is Ortho-K right for my child?
Ortho-K for kids is suitable for children and teenagers with low to moderate myopia, typically up to −6.00 dioptres of myopia and up to −1.50 dioptres of astigmatism. It is also suitable for adults who want to be spectacle-free during the day.
Ortho-K is a great fit if your child:
- Plays sport — no glasses to fog, slip or break
- Dislikes wearing glasses at school
- Is showing rapid myopia progression year on year
- Has eczema, allergies or other reasons that make daytime contact lenses difficult
- Has dry eyes from screen time
How effective is Ortho-K at slowing myopia?
Peer-reviewed clinical trials show Ortho-K slows axial elongation by approximately 30 to 50 percent compared with single-vision glasses. When combined with low-dose atropine, the slowing effect can exceed 60 percent.
A child whose myopia would have progressed by −1.00 dioptres a year may progress by only −0.40 to −0.50 dioptres a year on Ortho-K.
The 1001 Optometry Ortho-K fitting process
- Comprehensive eye test and corneal topography Your optometrist measures the exact shape of your child's cornea using a digital topographer.
- Custom lens design Your child's first pair of Ortho-K lenses is designed to fit their corneal shape, prescription and pupil size.
- Trial fitting and teaching session In-store, allow 90 minutes. Our team teaches your child how to insert, remove, clean and store the lenses.
- Overnight wear at home The first night is the only night you may notice anything. Most children adapt within 3 to 7 nights.
- Day 1 morning check In-store. We confirm the fit and the new prescription is hitting target.
- Ongoing follow-up visits 1-week, 1-month, 3-month and 6-month follow-up visits, all included in the fitting fee.
- 12-month review New lenses, atropine top-up if appropriate, and progression report for parents.
How much does Ortho-K cost?
1001 Optometry believes in transparent pricing. The Ortho-K fitting fee covers the consultation, corneal topography, custom lens design, teaching session, trial lenses and 12 months of follow-up visits.
Many private health funds rebate part of the fitting fee under contact lens or behavioural optometry benefits. We provide an itemised tax invoice for your fund claim.
Less than the cost of a coffee. The first 5 to 7 years of myopia management is the window where slowing progression matters most — Ortho-K does that without your child needing daytime glasses or contacts.
Is Ortho-K safe?
Yes. When fitted by a qualified Ortho-K optometrist and used as instructed, Ortho-K is safe and reversible. The most important safety rule is hand and lens hygiene. We teach every parent and child our 'wash, rinse, store' routine in the fitting session, and we monitor the cornea at every follow-up.
Risks are similar to any overnight contact lens wear. Your optometrist will explain them in plain English before you commit.
Ortho-K vs spectacle myopia control: how to choose
Both Ortho-K and modern myopia control spectacle lenses (MiYOSMART iQ, Stellest 2.0) slow myopia progression. Each works well — the right choice depends on your child.
| Factor | Ortho-K | MiYOSMART iQ / Stellest 2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime spectacles needed | No | Yes — full-time wear |
| Sport friendly | Excellent — no glasses on the field | Good — sports straps recommended |
| Initial cost | From $1,600 (both eyes, 12-month follow-up included), ≈ $4.40/day | From $745 Stellest 2.0 or $775 MiYOSMART iQ (lenses both eyes) |
Find an Ortho-K optometrist near you
Ortho-K is fitted at 9 of our 16 1001 Optometry stores. Each Ortho-K clinic has a digital corneal topographer, a fully equipped paediatric room, and an optometrist trained in overnight orthokeratology.
- Bondi
- Chatswood Chase
- Macquarie
- Top Ryde
- Hurstville
- Blacktown
- Box Hill
- Emporium
- Indooroopilly
If you live closer to one of our other 7 clinics (Burwood, Eastgardens, Hornsby, Penrith, Chatswood, Parramatta, Doncaster), book your child's eye test at the local store and we will refer to the nearest Ortho-K clinic for the fitting and the in-store teach. Follow-up checks can happen at any 1001 clinic.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly will my child see clearly?
Most children see well by morning 3. Full clarity is usually reached by week 2.
Can my child sleep over at a friend's house with Ortho-K?
Yes. We supply a small travel case and teach your child to manage the lenses independently from the first week.
What happens if my child stops Ortho-K?
The cornea returns to its original shape within 7 to 14 days. Vision returns to its previous prescription. The myopia control benefit stops, so we recommend continuing until myopia stabilises in the late teens.
Is Ortho-K covered by Medicare?
The comprehensive eye test for eligible children is bulk-billed through Medicare. The Ortho-K fitting fee is not covered by Medicare, but most private health funds rebate part of the cost.
Can adults wear Ortho-K?
Yes. Adults with low to moderate myopia who want to be spectacle-free during the day, especially for sport or shift work, are great candidates.
How is Ortho-K different from LASIK?
LASIK permanently reshapes the cornea using a laser. Ortho-K is non-surgical and fully reversible. It is also the only option for children, who are too young for LASIK.
Book an Ortho-K consultation
Find your nearest store and book an Ortho-K assessment. The first appointment includes a comprehensive eye test and corneal topography. Allow 60 minutes.
