What you need to know about Ortho-K age limits

Beautiful woman with contact eye lens in hand

Ortho-K is a ground-breaking form of vision correction, and here at Ian Donald Optometrist, we’re often asked about Ortho-K age limits.

The good news is that Ortho-K really has no strict age limit – meaning children, adults and seniors can potentially use this innovative treatment. It’s important to understand however, that we would recommend it to you or your child based on several factors and not just age.

At Ian Donald Optometrist, we provide our customers with expert optometry and comprehensive eye health solutions, which means we always make tailored recommendations to ensure your eyes are the best they can be.

Ortho-K does have many potential benefits, in particular for children. Here’s what else you need to know about Ortho-K age limits and use.

About Ortho-K

As we’ve previously reported, Ortho-K (officially termed orthokeratology) is a method to improve eyesight and reduce the dependence on glasses or contact lenses. It specifically helps target common issues including myopia (short-sightedness), astigmatism, hyperopia (far-sightedness) and presbyopia (blurred near vision).

Sometimes also called vision shaping, corneal reshaping or corneal refractive therapy, it involves wearing comfortable RGP (rigid gas permeable) contact lenses overnight, which temporarily – and gently – help reshape your cornea. For best results, you should wear the lenses for between six and eight hours.

After wearing the lenses, you can expect clear and sharp vision for anywhere between 24 hours and a few days. The exciting thing is that there is also the potential to improve eyesight in certain situations – and generally, for younger wearers.

Ortho-K age limits for children

In terms of the lower end Ortho-K age limit, we’ve seen great success treating children as young as six. Ortho-K may be a good option for children who are unable to wear glasses for any reason, who are embarrassed wearing lenses or who play a lot of sport.

It also has potential eye health benefits, in particular for our customers with youth-onset myopia. The Ortho-K treatment has been shown to reduce and in some cases halt the progression of myopia if started early enough.

Many parents are also choosing Ortho-K as a preferred option to myopia surgery where that is an option for their children.

Mature man taking off eyeglasses rubbing dry irritated eyes

Ortho-K for adults and seniors

There are no Ortho-k age limits at the upper end, with many teens, adults and seniors capable of wearing the lenses.

At this age, Ortho-K is less likely to provide long-term vision correction, but it can have particular benefits in terms of comfort and lifestyle.

Ortho-K may suit those who would prefer not to wear prescription glasses, or who have occupations or hobbies which make it difficult to wear glasses.

It can be useful if you find glasses and lenses uncomfortable but regularly drive long distances, swim or play sport, or if you work in an environment that irritates your eyes such as an airconditioned office or outdoors.

We may also recommend Ortho-K for our patients who wish to be without glasses but are unsuitable for laser surgery.

For many adults, the temporary nature of the treatment is appealing. You can stop wearing the lenses at any time without lingering effects, should you opt for suitable alternatives such as surgery or eyeglasses.

Blonde woman holding contact lens case and eye glasses

Discovering Ortho-K

If you are interested in Ortho-K for yourself or your child, we would suggest you make an appointment for an eye test.

After assessing your eyes, we can discuss the treatment fully or perhaps recommend comfortable frames, contact lenses or one of our other optometry treatments.

Please contact us for your next appointment or with any Ortho-K queries.

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Shop 2, 37-39 The Corso,
Manly NSW 2095

Monday to Friday - 8.30am to 5.30pm
Saturday - 8.30am to 4.00pm

Ian Donald Optometrist is a private billing practice. Please contact reception for our consultation fee schedule. Medicare and private health insurance rebates apply.