Ortho K & Myopia Control
  • Why is myopia control so important?

    Short-sightedness (myopia) has become worryingly prevalent and has reached epidemic levels. Unfortunately, a childhood diagnoses of myopia means an increased risk of developing vision threatening conditions such as retinal detachments and glaucoma. In addition, when a child is myopic, the common trend is for the level of short sightedness to increase over time. 


    Thankfully, there has been a lot of research which has gone into managing the progression of short sightedness. We are now able to offer a variety of methods which have been proven to be highly successful, such as orthokeratology. 

  • What is orthokeratology?

    Orthokeratology (ortho k) is the use of specially fitted gas permeable lenses which are worn overnight to reshape the front surface of the eye - the cornea. Upon awakening, the lenses are removed and your vision is clear without the need for glasses or contact lenses. It has also been proven to slow down the progression of short-sightedness in children.


    Orthokeratology is non-invasive, safe and effective. It is completely reversible, making it the perfect alternative to laser surgery, which has many risks attached to it. We have been fitting the lenses successfully for over 15 years, and there are no age restrictions - we have fitted children from as young as 4 in the practice. 

  • Is everyone suitable for orthokeratology?

    Orthokeratology is perfect for prescriptions up to -5.00D and a maximum of -2.00D of astigmatism. If your prescription falls outside of this range, please contact us at the practice and we can discuss whether you would still be suitable.

  • Can adults also wear these lenses?

    As well as the benefits for controlling myopia in children, orthokeratology can also be invaluable for adults. It is perfect for anyone who:


    • Has tried regular contact lenses but has found difficulties with dry eyes, comfort, vision or irritation.
    • Wants clear vision all day without having to wear glasses or contact lenses.
    • Plays sports/swims but finds wearing glasses, contact lenses or goggles an inconvenience.
    • Has considered laser surgery but is concerned with the risks attached to it.
  • What are the other ways of controlling the progression of short sightedness?

    Although orthokeratology is our most common way of slowing down the progression of short sightedness as it has proven to be the most successful, there are other methods which can be used. 


    One alternative option is to wear special soft contact lenses called MiSight. These are daily disposable contact lenses which are worn during the day to provide clear, spectacle-free vision. The lenses have a unique optical design which can help to slow down the speed at which myopia progresses. Another option is to use spectacle lenses such as varifocals or bifocals which can also prove to be effective. However, these can be more difficult for children to adapt to.

Sonal - Mother of an Ortho-K patient (and an optometrist herself)

My son Rishi has been myopic since the age of 5. We had seen a significant increase in myopia every 6 months bringing him to a -3.50 and -2.25, with a small amount of astigmatism in each eye by the time he had just turned 8. I was extremely concerned about the rapid progression in myopia and being an optometrist myself and attending conferences regularly, the advice I got from numerous colleagues was to see Shelly! So I did just that. Research shows that ortho-k slows down the progression of myopia and this was the key to me reluctantly approaching Shelly with a lot of questions, and I mean a lot, especially with my knowledge in the field - but all my concerns were put at ease. 

The first consultation was when Rishi had just turned 8, he was very nervous, as was I, but Shelly was nothing but amazing. He made Rishi feel comfortable at all times, having the utmost patience, explaining every test and having an incredible rapport with him from the outset. After 4 sessions of contact lens fittings and teaches, Rishi was confident to start ortho-k. He used to look forward to seeing Shelly! (Shelly was a household name😊) It’s the best thing we ever did for Rishi’s eye health and lifestyle. From my perspective, high myopia can result in eye health complications, and to slow down the progression of myopia will reduce the risks of these complications. For Rishi, this has been life changing, especially as he’s an avid football, cricket, badminton and table tennis player. There’s no hassle with glasses as he’s wearing the ortho-k lenses over night and on removal in the morning his vision is perfect for the whole day and sometimes 2 days. He’s even taken the contact lenses on residential trips with no problems. 

Rishi is now 12 years old and after 4 years he has had one small change in his prescription. The results are incredible. I would highly recommend Shelly for ortho-k treatment and I myself refer my own patients and friends to him. Thank you for changing Rishi’s life. Forever grateful.

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