Overnight orthokeratology lenses temporarily reshape the cornea during sleep. Fitting for children requires diagnostic assessment, care training and regular eye-health checks.
children and adolescents with myopia whose corneas are suitable for Ortho-K after examination; children with progressive myopia when the ophthalmologist selects an evidence-based myopia-control strategy; a child has confirmed myopia and the family is considering daytime spectacle-free correction; myopia is progressing and active myopia control is being discussed;
active children who prefer daytime freedom from spectacles and soft contact lenses; patients seeking a reversible non-surgical optical correction method. sport or other activities make spectacles inconvenient;
families able to follow meticulous hygiene and attend regular review visits;
children for whom a standard spherical lens is unsuitable and a toric or custom design is required, after confirmation by the doctor; a standard, toric or individualized Ortho-K design needs to be evaluated;
daytime soft lenses are impractical but the family can reliably manage overnight lens care;
a child already wears night lenses and needs scheduled checks of lens fit, corneal condition and effectiveness;
daytime vision has become unstable, halos, double vision or discomfort appear, or lens centration seems poor;
Orthokeratology does not shorten the eye. It temporarily changes the corneal epithelial profile. Current explanations emphasize epithelial redistribution and tear-film forces under the lens rather than simple mechanical pressure. After discontinuation, the cornea gradually returns toward baseline and the refractive effect fades.
Eye or eyelid inflammation, active keratitis, conjunctivitis and other ocular-surface conditions are reasons to postpone lens wear until treatment is completed and the doctor gives permission.
lenses and cases must not be rinsed or stored with tap, pool or natural water;
do not share lenses, change the prescribed schedule or continue wear with pain, marked redness, photophobia or reduced vision;
overnight wear is specific to orthokeratology lenses. Ordinary daytime lenses must not be slept in unless specifically approved for that mode;
unsuitable corneal shape, significant surface disease, epithelial problems or severe dryness may preclude treatment;
if the child or parents cannot consistently follow hygiene rules, the risks of contact-lens correction may outweigh its practical benefits;
A fixed age or dioptre range is not a universal criterion: eligibility depends on lens design and clinical assessment.
KazRIED officially lists consultation, correction assessment, refractometry, keratometry, Pentacam, rigid contact lens fitting and patient education.
The doctor assesses lens centration, movement, the fluorescein pattern when needed and conformity with the corneal shape.
pain, significant redness, photophobia, discharge or sudden reduction in vision requires stopping lens wear and urgent ophthalmic review.
Ortho-K does not permanently eliminate established myopia and cannot guarantee complete stabilization;
Book a consultation
KazRIED officially lists consultation, correction assessment, refractometry, keratometry, Pentacam, rigid contact lens fitting and patient education.
The doctor assesses lens centration, movement, the fluorescein pattern when needed and conformity with the corneal shape.
The child and parents are shown how to insert and remove lenses, clean and store them, what to do with displacement or discomfort, and which symptoms require stopping wear immediately.
Vision, cornea and lens fit are checked after the first night; subsequent reviews follow the annual schedule.
KazRIED also lists reviews after 3 months and half a year.
In progressive childhood myopia, the doctor compares refraction and, where available, axial length over time.
After wearing fitted lenses overnight, daytime vision may not require glasses; the effect is temporary and requires adherence to the schedule.
When indicated, specific methods can slow myopia progression, but do not return an elongated eye to its previous size.
Topography and fit assessment help select a night lens for the individual's corneal shape.
Scheduled examinations and handling instruction help assess lens effects and ocular surface health.
Book an orthokeratology consultation at KazRIED if your child has myopia and you are considering night lenses. Bring previous prescriptions and examination results. The clinician will assess refraction, corneal shape and myopia progression, explain lens options, hygiene and the follow-up schedule.
A team of experienced doctors across specialties.
Second-category ophthalmologist
Orthokeratology is a method of temporary vision correction using specially designed rigid gas-permeable contact lenses that are inserted before sleep and removed in the morning. Overnight, the lenses modify the profile of the corneal surface epithelium, allowing the child to see clearly during the day without regular glasses or daytime contact lenses.
The effect of orthokeratology involves redistribution of epithelial cells and the action of the tear film beneath the lens, rather than simple mechanical pressure. When regular lens wear is discontinued, the cornea gradually returns to its original shape. The optical effect of overnight lenses is reversible and requires regular use.
In children, orthokeratology serves two different purposes: providing daytime vision without glasses and potentially controlling myopia progression. Clear vision after removing the lenses does not mean that nearsightedness has stopped progressing.
According to the International Myopia Institute (IMI 2025), orthokeratology is among the most extensively studied methods of myopia control. Randomized studies have demonstrated a consistent effect in slowing axial eye elongation compared with standard single-vision glasses. However, the response varies between individuals, and complete cessation of progression cannot be guaranteed.
The child inserts orthokeratology lenses before going to sleep and removes them in the morning. During sleep, the lenses temporarily reshape the superficial layer of the cornea, producing an optical effect that allows the child to function without conventional vision correction during the day.
Overnight orthokeratology lenses are not ordinary contact lenses that can simply be left in during sleep. They have a specialized design and require individualized fitting and regular monitoring of corneal health.
The range of refractive correction depends on the specific lens design, corneal parameters and examination results. The ophthalmologist assesses age-related indications, eligible refractive ranges and the expected effect individually.
Orthokeratology fitting is more complex than standard contact lens correction. It requires confirmation of refraction, assessment of the cornea and ocular surface, appropriate measurements, selection of lens design and evaluation of lens fit.
Corneal geometry is particularly important in orthokeratology. Keratometry and topography allow the ophthalmologist to assess baseline corneal parameters and monitor changes associated with lens wear.
The diagnostic pathway described by KazRIED includes refractometry, keratometry and corneal examination using Pentacam. The ophthalmologist determines which investigations are necessary.
Orthokeratology is considered one of the methods for slowing myopia progression in children. On average, studies show reduced axial eye elongation compared with conventional single-vision spectacle correction.
To assess progression, the ophthalmologist considers the age of myopia onset, previous prescriptions, the rate of refractive change and, when available, repeated axial length measurements.
The effectiveness of myopia control is not assessed solely by daytime visual quality. It is important to monitor changes in refraction and determine whether eye growth is slowing over the longer term.
Good visual acuity after the first week of lens wear demonstrates an optical effect but does not establish the effectiveness of myopia progression control. Repeated measurements and long-term monitoring are necessary.
The specific orthokeratology lens model is prescribed by the ophthalmologist based on corneal examination, refraction assessment and individualized fitting.
The safety of orthokeratology depends not only on the lens material but also on accurate fitting, proper hygiene and regular medical follow-up.
Hands must be thoroughly washed and completely dried before handling lenses. Only the prescribed lens care system should be used for cleaning and storage. Contact between water and the lenses or lens case must be avoided. The child should also have an up-to-date pair of backup glasses.
If pain, redness, light sensitivity or reduced vision develops, the lens should be removed, lens wear discontinued and an ophthalmologist consulted. These symptoms should not be left until the next scheduled examination.
Before treatment begins, the ophthalmologist evaluates whether the child and parents can consistently follow daily lens care instructions and attend follow-up appointments. If the family cannot reliably meet these requirements, a simpler correction method may be safer, even when orthokeratology is technically possible.
A series of follow-up examinations is necessary after orthokeratology lenses have been fitted. The ophthalmologist checks visual acuity, lens position and centration, corneal health and changes in corneal topography.
When orthokeratology is used for myopia progression control, changes in refraction and, where possible, axial eye length are also monitored.
Clear daytime vision and slowing myopia progression are two different outcome measures. Neither should be assessed solely from the child's experience during the first few nights of lens wear.
Orthokeratology does not guarantee complete cessation of myopia progression. Regular follow-up helps evaluate treatment effectiveness and allows timely adjustments to lens parameters or the ongoing management strategy.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
