What actually happens when you’re fitted for Ortho-K
Appointment by appointment, from the first evaluation to settled overnight wear — including how long adaptation really takes and what each stage costs.
Book an appointment
No referral needed, for any appointment — including specialty Ortho-K, dry eye and keratoconus consultations.
Send a messageOrtho-K is not a single appointment. It is a fitting process, and the reason it works is that the lens is designed for one specific pair of eyes and then adjusted until it is right. Knowing what that involves upfront removes most of the anxiety — particularly for parents booking on behalf of a child.
The fitting, stage by stage
Stage 1 — Ortho-K evaluation
The evaluation establishes whether Ortho-K is suitable at all. We check the prescription is within the range Ortho-K can correct, examine the health of the cornea and tear film, and map the corneal surface with topography. This appointment needs up-to-date eye test results — if your last full eye examination was a while ago, book that first.
For children, this is also the appointment where progression matters. If a child’s myopia is increasing quickly, that changes the urgency of the conversation, not just the lens choice.
Stage 2 — lens design and ordering
The topography map is used to design a lens for the specific shape of your cornea. This is the step that distinguishes Ortho-K from an off-the-shelf contact lens: two people with the same prescription will not get the same lens.
Stage 3 — collection and training
You collect the lenses and are taught how to insert them, remove them, and clean and store them. Insertion takes about 30 seconds once learned. For younger children, parents are taught alongside them so the routine is supervised at first, and most children take over themselves within a few weeks.
Stage 4 — the first nights
You wear the lenses overnight and take them out in the morning. Vision is usually noticeably better after the first night but not yet stable — this is expected. Most patients reach functional vision, meaning the standard required for driving, within one to two weeks.
Stage 5 — follow-up appointments
The fitting period typically involves four to six visits. We check the lens is sitting correctly, measure how the cornea has responded, and refine the design where needed. Optimal results are typically reached within two to four weeks of consistent wear.
Stage 6 — ongoing monitoring
Once the fit is settled, reviews continue at intervals. For adults this is about corneal health and lens condition. For children it is also about whether myopia progression is actually slowing — which is the whole point of fitting Ortho-K in the first place, and the only way to know is to keep measuring.
The questions people ask on the way out
How long do the lenses last?
Replacement lenses are typically needed every one to two years. The fitting package covers the initial lenses and the fitting appointments; replacements are charged separately.
What if it doesn’t work out?
Ortho-K is fully reversible. Stop wearing the lenses and the cornea returns to its original shape over a period of days — nothing is permanently altered. That reversibility is one of the main reasons it is suitable for children, unlike laser surgery.
What if my child forgets a night?
Vision gradually drifts back over the day rather than failing suddenly. Missing an occasional night is not a crisis; consistently missing nights means the correction never stabilises and the myopia control benefit is reduced.
What each stage costs
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Ortho-K evaluationNeeds up-to-date eye test results | $95 |
| Ortho-K fitting and lens packageIncludes lenses and initial fitting appointments. Does not include the initial eye test; additional fees apply for high prescriptions. | $2,275 |
| Replacement lenses | $1,600 per pair |
| Ortho-K follow-upExisting patients | $59 |
Some health insurance plans, including Southern Cross, may provide partial cover for Ortho-K, and a government subsidy may apply for children. See insurance & funding.
Fitting process questions
How many appointments does an Ortho-K fitting take?
How quickly will I see clearly?
Do I need a recent eye test before the Ortho-K evaluation?
How young can a child start Ortho-K?
Is Ortho-K reversible?
What does the fitting package include?
Start with an Ortho-K evaluation
It confirms suitability and maps the cornea before any lens is designed. Bring up-to-date eye test results.