All about orthokeratology (ortho-k) contact lenses

Q: Is ortho-k the same as corneal refractive therapy?

Corneal refractive therapy (CRT®) is a proprietary designation but essentially the same as orthokeratology. If you're curious about it, please talk to your eye doctor.

Orthokeratology, or "ortho-k," is a way to correct vision by temporarily reshaping the cornea using contact lenses designed to be worn overnight. By gently flattening your cornea while you sleep, ortho-k lenses allow you to wake up with clear vision that typically lasts all day without needing glasses or contacts. It's commonly used to help manage myopia.

Medically reviewed on February 13, 2026

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Published on September 20, 2024; Updated on June 1, 2026

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5 minute read

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Key takeaways

Orthokeratology is a type of nighttime contact lens that gently reshapes your cornea while you sleep
Orthokeratology lenses typically eliminates the need for daytime vision correction
This type of lens corrects vision and is commonly used to manage myopia in patients of all ages

How orthokeratology lenses work

Your cornea—the clear, front part of your eye—is flexible, and that’s the key to how orthokeratology works. Ortho-k lenses are rigid lenses custom-fitted to sit on your eye and gently reshape the cornea's curvature. This is why they’re also known as “corneal reshaping lenses” These contacts typically eliminate the need for daytime vision correction because they’re worn at night during sleep. When a person wakes up in the morning, the reshaped cornea helps them see the world clearly without the need for glasses or contacts during the day. Keep in mind, the effect is temporary—when you stop using ortho-k lenses, your cornea will eventually return to its original shape.

Ortho-k lenses vs. standard contacts

Feature	Ortho-k	Standard contacts
Wear time	Worn while sleeping	Worn during the day, unless prescribed for extended (overnight) wear
Vision correction	Vision corrected gradually over time as cornea reshapes	Vision corrected while wearing them
How it works	Reshapes the cornea to accurately redirect light passage through the eye	Redirects light passage through the eye without changing the shape of the cornea
Myopia management	Vision correction	Vision correction
Lifestyle	May benefit people who need vision correction in or around water	Must be taken off before water activities

Who is orthokeratology for?

One of the most common uses of orthokeratology is to correct myopia (also known as nearsightedness). Ortho-k may be a convenient option for swimmers because it provides daytime vision correction without wearing contact lenses, which should be avoided during water exposure due to infection risk.

Understand myopia management

What to expect

Some things to know about ortho-k contact lenses

Optimal vision takes time

While some people experience clear vision within days, it can take a few weeks or longer for ortho-k lenses to work as well as they can.

You may need adjustments

Some people may need a series of lenses until they reach the right level of vision correction

You may feel them at first

When you first start wearing these contacts, you’ll probably feel them on your eyes until you fall asleep.

The effect is temporary

When you first start using ortho-k lenses, your cornea may start to return to its natural state before the end of the day, causing the effect of Ortho-K to diminish later in the day. Over time, the vision correction should last most or all of the day.

ACUVUE makes ortho-k lenses

ACUVUE^® Abiliti^® Overnight Therapeutic Lenses are orthokeratology lenses that are approved for myopia management in patients of all ages. These lenses have been successfully used in thousands of patients for over 15 years in markets around the world.

See Abiliti^® Overnight

Think they might be right for you or your child?

Ortho-k lenses can be a great option for a lot of people. As overnight contact lenses, they can eliminate the need for daytime correction completely, providing additional freedom during the day. If you’re interested, the next step would be to schedule an appointment with an eye doctor.

Find an Eye Doctor

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Is ortho-k the same as corneal refractive therapy?

Corneal refractive therapy (CRT^®) is a proprietary designation but essentially the same as orthokeratology. If you're curious about it, please talk to your eye doctor.

How much do ortho-k lenses cost?

Pricing depends on the lenses your eye doctor chooses and any fees associated with your office visit. It can cost more to replace lenses if you lose or damage them, since they’re custom-fit. Also, orthokeratology is often not covered by insurance, so costs tend to be out of pocket.

Is ortho-k better than LASIK?

What’s better depends entirely on your eyes and your lifestyle. LASIK is not recommended for children, since their eyes are still growing and developing, so ortho-k can be a great option for children. As always, it’s best to talk about your vision correction options with your eye doctor.

Can you watch TV while wearing ortho-k?

Technically you can because you should still see with your ortho-k lenses on. It is, however, generally recommended that wearers develop a routine, wearing ortho-k lenses a few minutes before going to sleep. This is to minimize time the lenses are on with the eyes open, as the effects of lid interaction from blinking and gravity may result in lens discomfort and treatment decentration.

I thought it wasn’t safe to wear contact lenses at night?

It depends on the specific contact lens product and the instructions provided by your eye doctor. Most lenses are not designed for overnight wear and can in fact increase the chance of eye health issues if you do wear them overnight. As always, it's best to talk to your eye doctor if you have questions about this risk and how to minimize it with your particular type of lens.

Footnotes

The information provided on this page and across the entire Acuvue.com experience is designed to offer educational insights into eye health, referencing expert advice from reputable medical and government organizations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Optometric Association and the National Eye Institute. While we research, report, and review the content on Acuvue.com and its extended social media to deliver accurate and up-to-date vision, vision care, and vision correction information, we do not make any assurances, and content accessed on or through Acuvue.com and its extended social media is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of any eye conditions or health issues. This brings us to our #1 eye health tip: Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance and care.

1. JJV Data on File 2023. ACUVUE^® Abiliti^® Overnight Therapeutic Lenses for Myopia Management – Consolidated, Approved Claims List; U.S. Only Claims.

Important Safety Information for Contact Lens Wearers: ACUVUE^® Abiliti^® Overnight Therapeutic Contact Lenses are available by prescription only for the management of myopia. An eye care professional will determine whether these contact lenses are right for you. Although rare, serious eye problems including vision loss and blindness can develop while wearing contact lenses. To help avoid these symptoms, follow the wear and replacement schedule and the lens care disinfection instructions provided by your eye care professional. Do not wear these contact lenses if you have an eye infection, or experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. If one of these conditions occurs, remove the lens and contact your eye doctor immediately.  For more information on proper wear, care and safety, talk to your eye care professional, review the  Patient Instruction Guide, call 1-877-334-3937, or visit www.jjvision.com.

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