How to Adjust to Ortho-K Overnight Lenses

Ortho-K is an innovative, non-surgical treatment that uses specially designed rigid contact lenses to gently reshape the cornea while you sleep. By morning, you wake up with clearer vision and can go lens-free throughout the day. At University Optometric Center, many of our patients choose Ortho-K as a safe and effective option for managing myopia and reducing daytime dependence on glasses or contacts. Here’s what you can expect and how to make the process as smooth as possible.

What to Expect During the First Few Nights

Most patients adapt quickly to Ortho-K lenses, but the first few nights may feel different from what you're used to:

• Initial Awareness: Because Ortho-K lenses are firmer than soft contacts, you may feel them more when first inserting them. This sensation usually fades within minutes as your eyes close and you drift off to sleep.

• Morning Vision Fluctuations: It’s common to experience slight blurriness or halos during the early days as the corneal reshaping becomes more consistent.

• Gradual Improvement: Many patients see noticeable vision changes after the first night, with optimal clarity developing over the first one to two weeks.

Follow Your Optometrist’s Instructions Closely

Your doctor will give you specific guidance, including how long to wear the lenses each night and how to handle them properly. Consistency ensures both comfort and effective vision correction.

Give Yourself Time to Adapt

The first few nights may feel unusual, but this is normal. As your eyes adapt to the lenses and the reshaping process, nighttime comfort improves quickly.

Maintain Excellent Lens Hygiene

Clean and disinfect your Ortho-K lenses exactly as directed. This helps prevent irritation and infection while keeping the lenses performing as intended.

Use Lubricating Drops (If Recommended)

Some patients benefit from preservative-free lubricating drops during insertion. These can improve nighttime comfort and help the lenses center properly.

Avoid Skipping Nights

Ortho-K results are temporary unless maintained consistently. Skipping nights can lead to less stable vision and may lengthen your adjustment period.

When to Contact Your Optometrist

You should reach out if you experience:

• Redness that doesn’t improve

• Persistent pain

• Significant light sensitivity

• Sudden changes in vision

These could indicate a fit issue or require modification to your treatment plan.

Ready to Experience Clearer Daytime Vision without Contacts or Glasses?

Adjusting to Ortho-K overnight lenses is a gradual and highly rewarding process. With consistent wear, proper care, and guidance from our optometrists, most patients enjoy clear, glasses-free daytime vision within just a short period.

Schedule your Ortho-K evaluation at University Optometric Center and take the first step toward freedom from daytime eyewear. Contact our office in Irvine or Newport Beach at (949)-854-7122 or (949) 476-2870 to book an appointment today.

How to Adjust to Ortho-K Overnight Lenses