Ortho-K Lenses at Jarvis Vision Center
in Murray, KY

At Jarvis Vision Center, our eye doctors use an FDA Approved Ortho-K vision therapy program to provide patients of all ages who have progressive myopia with clear, comfortable vision — without the need for glasses, daytime contact lenses, or surgery!

What is Ortho-K?

Orthokeratology, commonly shortened to Ortho-K, is a safe, effective, and painless way to improve your myopia (nearsightedness) while you sleep so you can enjoy clear vision all throughout the day! Here’s how this unique vision therapy works:

  1. During a consultation, we determine if Ortho-K is right for you.
  2. We’ll customize specialized Ortho-K lenses to your eyes, then fit you with them in our offices to make sure they’re comfortable.
  3. You’ll put in the Ortho-K lenses before going to sleep and wear them all night long.
  4. In the morning, you take the lenses out and enjoy a day of clear eyesight.
  5. Repeat this process according to your eye doctor’s instructions.

Most of our patients find they don’t need their glasses at all during the day after only a few weeks of use! In fact, studies and FDA trials have found that as many as 71% of patients achieve 20/20 vision, and over 95% achieved 20/40 or better!

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EVALUATION NEAR YOU TODAY!

Ortho-K and Myopia Treatment Center in Murray, KY

How Exactly Does Ortho-K
Treat Myopia?

Your cornea, the clear front layer of your eye, focuses light onto the retina, the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of your eye. This is what allows us to see clearly. When the cornea isn’t shaped just right, it focuses light on the wrong place, and vision can be blurry. In the case of myopia, the cornea focuses light in front of the retina, rather than directly on it.

Ortho-K gently reshapes the cornea during the night, so that by morning, you can enjoy clear vision. The cornea is quite flexible and can adapt to this reshaping well — in fact, it slowly returns to its previous shape if you don’t wear your Ortho-K lenses for long enough.

Ortho-K Contacts in Murray, KY

Why Are Ortho-K Contacts a Preferable Solution?

The two other solutions for myopia are eyewear (eyeglasses or contact lenses), or laser eye surgery such as LASIK. Eyewear can be an excellent option, especially for kids, but it doesn’t stop the myopia from getting worse, which can be dangerous: severe myopia has been linked to a greater risk of eye disease.

LASIK has the potential to reduce or eliminate a patient’s need for eyewear, but it’s a surgery that isn’t right for everyone and cannot be performed on children. Ortho-K lenses slow or stop the progression of myopia with regular use, without the permanence or invasiveness of an eye surgery. It’s also safe for children!

How Safe are Ortho-K Contacts?

Perfectly safe, with proper use! Ortho-K contacts are just as safe as any other extended-wear overnight contact lenses. As long as you clean your Ortho-K lenses as instructed and don’t put them in your eyes while they are red, irritated, or inflamed, you should have no issues whatsoever. If you do encounter any issues, just let us know right away!

Who is a Candidate for
Ortho-K Lenses?

Ortho-K is appropriate for patients of all ages — in fact, it’s often the best possible choice for children! This is because their eyes are still growing and changing, making them more adaptable to these changes in shape that can improve their eyesight. Just make sure your child can handle the responsibility and upkeep involved in wearing the lenses and keeping them clean.

We’ll determine if you’re a good fit for Ortho-K during an eye exam. Your vision prescription and eye health will be part of the discussion as we take sophisticated mapping images of your cornea. If everything checks out, we’ll fit you in specialty lenses and train you on care, insertion, and removal. We’ll then provide follow-ups over the course of your therapy to make sure it’s working as intended.

Ortho-K Lenses in Murray, KY

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TOWARDS
BETTER VISION TODAY!

Ortho-K Frequently
Asked Questions

Do Ortho-K lenses cause permanent correction?

No. If you stop wearing the lenses, your original vision should return in about 24 to 72 hours.

How long does Ortho-K take to start working?

Most patients see dramatic improvement in just one night, but complete vision correction can take up to a week or so.

Can I see while wearing Ortho-K contacts?

Yes, your vision with the lenses on will be the same as the results you see from them in the morning.

Is it easy to care for Ortho-K lenses?

Absolutely! Ortho-K contacts must be cleaned and disinfected after every wear for safe use, but your eye doctor will go over the required cleaning products and how to cleanse them.

How often do I need to replace Ortho-K contacts?

Ortho-K lenses usually last a year or more, but at that time the lenses may become warped and less effective. We’ll assess your lenses during your visits and let you know when it’s time to replace them.

Can I use Ortho-K for hyperopia or presbyopia (forms of farsightedness)?

Possibly, but not definitely. Recent advances in orthokeratology have found potential solutions for farsightedness, but the process tends to be more complex, with less certain results. We can go over your options during a consultation.

I wear monovision lenses. Can Ortho-K still work for me?

Absolutely! Monovision corrects one eye for distance and one for near vision. Ortho-K lenses can be fit the same way. Ask your eye doctor about this option.

Do Ortho-K lenses hurt?

Not at all. Most people have “lens awareness” at first, but no pain, and this awareness subsides after a week or so for most patients.

How much does Ortho-K cost?

Cost varies by prescription and the unique Ortho-K contacts. Prices generally land between $3-5 per day for the first year, and $1-2 per day in subsequent years, including all Ortho-K doctor visits.

Does insurance cover Ortho-K?

Not usually. Ortho-K is considered “elective,” meaning most plans won’t cover it. Health savings accounts (HSAs), Flex Spending Accounts (FSAs), and our Alphaeon financing options can assist eligible patients.

Can I use Ortho-K lenses after LASIK?

No, unfortunately. The safety of Ortho-K in post-LASIK eyes hasn’t been studied enough. However, some daily use contacts can be very effective after LASIK, like customized rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses.

Can I use Ortho-K contacts if dry eye makes it hard for me to wear contacts?

Possibly! Many people with dry eyes do better with Ortho-K than other contact lenses because they are only worn while sleeping with eyelids closed. We may need to treat your dry eye before or alongside your Ortho-K treatment for your comfort and outcomes.

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