Orthokeratology lenses – often called Ortho-K lenses – are a wonderful way to see clearly during the day without wearing glasses or contact lenses. Good Ortho-K lens care is essential to keep your eyes healthy, your vision clear, and your treatment safe and effective. These specially designed lenses are worn overnight, gently reshaping the front surface of the eye (the cornea) while you sleep.
At Eyediology Opticians and Blackheath Eyecare, we fit Ortho‑K lenses for both children and adults, and one of the most important parts of successful treatment is good lens and eye care. This guide is written for parents, children, and adults alike – simple, clear, and practical – to help you get the best and safest results from your Ortho‑K lenses.
How to Clean Your Ortho‑K Lenses
Your optometrist will recommend specific cleaning solutions. It’s important to use the solutions we recommend and supply for your specific Ortho‑K lenses.
If you are ever considering an alternative solution, please speak to us first. We can contact the manufacturer on your behalf to check compatibility if information is available. In most cases, alternatives are not needed, and using the correct solution helps keep your lenses, eyes, and treatment outcomes safe.
Each morning after removing your lenses:
Place the lens in your palm
Apply the recommended cleaning solution
Gently rub the lens
Rinse thoroughly with the correct solution
Store in a clean lens case with fresh solution
Never top up old solution – always empty, rinse, and refill the case each day.
Why Proper Ortho‑K Lens Care Matters
Ortho‑K lenses are medical devices that sit directly on the eye overnight. Looking after them properly:
Keeps your eyes healthy
Reduces the risk of infections
Helps lenses last longer
Ensures clear, stable vision
Supports effective myopia (short‑sightedness) control in children
Poor care can lead to discomfort, blurred vision, or eye infections – all of which are preventable with the right habits. Consistent Ortho-K lens care plays a vital role in maintaining eye health and long-term comfort.
Clean Hands First – Always
Before touching your lenses or your eyes:
Wash your hands with soap and water
Rinse thoroughly
Dry with a lint‑free towel
This is one of the most important steps and applies to both children and adults. Parents should always supervise younger children during lens handling.
How to Clean Your Ortho‑K Lenses
Your optometrist will recommend specific cleaning solutions. It’s important to use the solutions we recommend and supply for your specific Ortho‑K lenses.
If you are ever considering an alternative solution, please speak to us first. We can contact the manufacturer on your behalf to check compatibility if information is available. In most cases, alternatives are not needed, and using the correct solution helps keep your lenses, eyes, and treatment outcomes safe.
Each morning after removing your lenses:
Place the lens in your palm
Apply the recommended cleaning solution
Gently rub the lens
Rinse thoroughly with the correct solution
Store in a clean lens case with fresh solution
Never top up old solution – always empty, rinse, and refill the case each day.
Using More Cleaning Solution Than Expected
As part of your Ortho-K plan, cleaning and storage solution is supplied with the expectation that it will last for the intended period when used in a consistent way.
Some patients find they run out of solution earlier than expected. This is absolutely fine and usually means you are being extra thorough with cleaning – which is a good thing when it comes to eye health.
We don’t automatically include extra solution because:
Everyone uses solution slightly differently
We don’t want you paying for products you may not need
We are mindful of the environment and aim to reduce unnecessary plastic waste and unused solutions
If you do need additional solution at any point, it can be purchased from us. Just get in touch and we’ll be happy to arrange this for you.
Lens Case Care – Often Forgotten, Very Important
Lens cases can hold bacteria if not cleaned properly.
Empty the case every morning
Rinse with lens solution (not tap water)
Leave open to air‑dry during the day
Replace the case at least every 3 months
Plunger (Insertion and Removal Tool) Care
Some patients use a small plunger tool to help insert and remove their Ortho‑K lenses.
Plungers are not included with every new set of lenses
They are not free or inexpensive, so it’s important to look after the one you have
Over time, it is normal for plungers to need replacing
To clean your plunger:
Rinse it with sterile saline or your recommended lens solution
Do not use tap water
Allow it to air‑dry fully during the day
If you choose to clean the plunger with lens solution, be aware that you may run through your solution slightly faster. If you need replacement plungers, we do sell them – just get in touch.
Putting Lenses In at Night
Before bed:
Make sure your eyes feel comfortable and healthy
Avoid inserting lenses if your eyes are red, sore, or irritated
Insert lenses just before sleep
Once the lenses are in, go straight to sleep. Try to avoid excessive blinking or removing and reinserting unless advised.
Morning Lens Removal
On waking:
Remove lenses as shown by our team
Use recommended removal techniques or tools
Never force a lens out if it feels stuck – apply lubricating drops and wait
There are two ways to insert and remove Ortho‑K lenses – with your fingers or using a small plunger tool.
If you are not confident inserting or removing lenses without the tool, please ask us to teach you in practice. Learning with our team means you are in a safe environment, with professional support if you feel stuck during the process.
Being able to manage lenses without relying solely on the plunger is helpful, as these tools can be lost, damaged, or wear down over time. That said, you can always purchase additional plungers from us to keep spares if needed.
If a lens ever feels difficult to remove, contact us for advice.
Looking After Your Eyes
Good eye care goes beyond just cleaning lenses.
Avoid Wearing Lenses When:
You are unwell (especially with colds or flu)
Your eyes are red, painful, or watery
There is discharge or light sensitivity
Eye Drops
Only use eye drops approved by your optometrist. Some drops can interfere with lens wear or vision quality.
Swimming, Baths, and Water Safety
Ortho‑K lenses should never come into contact with water.
Do not wear lenses while swimming
Avoid showering or bathing with lenses in
Never rinse lenses or cases with tap water
Water exposure increases the risk of serious eye infections.
Children and Ortho‑K – What Parents Should Know
Ortho‑K is commonly used in children, particularly for myopia (short‑sightedness) management. Parental involvement plays an important role.
Supervise cleaning and handling
Check routines are followed daily
Encourage children to speak up if lenses feel uncomfortable or different
Torn or Damaged Lenses
From time to time, a child may damage or tear an Ortho‑K lens and request a replacement.
Ortho‑K lenses are made from rigid gas permeable material and are designed to be durable. It is unusual for them to break easily. In fact, we’ve each tried to break an Ortho‑K lens ourselves to test their rigidity – and it’s not easy.
If a replacement is needed:
We will always help wherever possible
If the manufacturer agrees to a free replacement, they usually require the original lens to be returned, so please keep it
If lenses are breaking more than once, it is unlikely to be a lens fault. More commonly, it relates to how lenses are being handled, cleaned, or stored. This is most often seen in children, but it can happen with adults too.
That’s absolutely okay. We’re here to support you through the journey, not to question or criticise. We simply need the full story so we can advise properly and help prevent future breakages.
Regular Aftercare Appointments – Why They Matter
Aftercare visits are an essential part of Ortho‑K lens care treatment.
These appointments allow us to:
Check eye health
Confirm the treatment is working as intended
Assess whether myopia control is showing positive results (where relevant)
Review vision quality and comfort
Adjust lenses if eye shape or prescription changes
It’s important to attend all scheduled appointments, even if everything feels fine. Lenses may need changing over time as the eye develops or prescriptions alter.
Coming Prepared Helps
Note down any questions you’d like to ask
Tell us about any changes in comfort, vision, or routines
Bring lenses or solutions if requested
Staying on top of aftercare is especially important for children, but it is just as relevant for adults using Ortho‑K for overnight vision correction.
When to Contact Us Urgently
Stop wearing your lenses and contact us straight away if you experience:
Pain or discomfort
Redness that doesn’t settle
Sudden blurred vision
Light sensitivity
Excessive watering or discharge
Early advice can prevent more serious problems
Our Commitment to Your Eye Health
At Eyediology Opticians and Blackheath Eyecare, Ortho‑K care doesn’t stop once lenses are fitted. We support you throughout your Ortho‑K and eye health journey, whether you are an adult using Ortho‑K for overnight vision correction or a parent supporting a child with myopia management.
We provide:
Ongoing education and guidance
Advanced eye examinations
Experienced Ortho‑K fitting and aftercare
Honest, practical advice tailored to your individual needs
If you ever have questions about your lenses, your vision, or your eye health, our team is here to support you.
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Clear vision starts with good care. With the right routines and regular support, Ortho‑K lenses can be a safe, effective, and life‑changing option for both children and adults.
If you’d like to learn more about Ortho‑K or book an appointment, please get in touch with Eyediology Opticians or Blackheath Eyecare – we’d be delighted to support you.
Clear Vision Comes in Many Forms
While Ortho‑K lenses are an excellent option for some people, they are just one part of modern eye care.
At Eyediology Opticians and Blackheath Eyecare, we are best known for our expertise in prescription glasses, combining advanced eye examinations with carefully curated eyewear and high‑quality spectacle lenses. For many patients, glasses remain the most practical, comfortable, and reliable way to achieve clear vision.
You may choose glasses if:
Your prescription changes over time
Ortho‑K is no longer suitable for your eyes or lifestyle
You prefer glasses for work, school, or everyday wear
You want a dependable vision solution without overnight lens wear
Our team can support you with:
Comprehensive eye examinations
Honest advice on the best vision correction for your needs
High‑quality spectacle lenses tailored to your prescription and visual demands
Carefully fitted frames that balance comfort, function, and personal style
Clear vision is never one‑size‑fits‑all. Whether through Ortho‑K lenses, glasses, or a combination of both, our focus is always on long‑term eye health. With the right habits and professional support, Ortho-K lens care can help protect your eyes and maintain clear vision.
