Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) in Saratoga Springs, NY
Imagine waking up every morning and seeing clearly — without glasses, contacts, or surgery. Orthokeratology, commonly known as Ortho-K, makes this possible. At Saratoga Vision in Saratoga Springs, NY, we offer custom Ortho-K lens fittings using Paragon CRT® contact lenses — a non-surgical, reversible approach to vision correction that works while you sleep. Ortho-K is also one of the most effective treatments available for slowing myopia progression in children. Call (518) 587-5900 to schedule your Ortho-K consultation today.
Book OnlineHow Ortho-K Works
Orthokeratology uses specially designed rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contact lenses worn only during sleep. These lenses are custom fabricated based on detailed corneal topography maps of your eye’s shape. While you sleep, the lenses apply gentle, controlled pressure that temporarily reshapes the cornea — flattening its central curvature to redirect how light focuses on the retina. Upon waking and removing the lenses, light is focused correctly on the retinal surface, delivering clear vision without any daytime correction.
The corneal reshaping effect typically lasts throughout the waking day. Most patients achieve excellent daytime vision after wearing their lenses for seven to fourteen consecutive nights. For some patients with higher prescriptions, vision fully stabilizes within a few weeks of consistent nightly wear.
Paragon CRT® Lenses at Saratoga Vision
We use Paragon CRT® (Corneal Refractive Therapy) contact lenses — the most widely used and rigorously studied Ortho-K lens design available. Paragon CRT® lenses are FDA-cleared for overnight orthokeratology and have an established clinical record of safety and efficacy. Each pair is custom designed to match your specific corneal curvature and refractive prescription, and is manufactured to precise specifications for optimal fit and comfort.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Ortho-K?
Ortho-K is an excellent option for a wide range of patients:
- Children and teens with myopia: Ortho-K is one of the most effective myopia control treatments available, reducing axial elongation of the eye and slowing prescription progression. It is particularly well-suited for active children who do not want to wear glasses or daytime contacts during sports and activities. Learn more about our myopia control program.
- Adults seeking glasses-free days: Adults who are not candidates for LASIK, or who prefer a reversible non-surgical option, can use Ortho-K for clear daytime vision without any waking-hour correction.
- Contact lens wearers in dry or dusty environments: Patients whose eyes become too dry or irritated to wear daytime lenses — particularly those who work outdoors or in demanding visual environments — benefit from Ortho-K’s nighttime-only wear schedule.
- Swimmers and athletes: Ortho-K eliminates the risk of losing a lens in the water or during vigorous physical activity.
- Pre-LASIK patients: Ortho-K can serve as a trial of daytime glasses-free vision for patients considering refractive surgery.
Good candidates for Ortho-K typically have myopia up to approximately -6.00 diopters, with or without mild to moderate astigmatism. Patients with higher prescriptions may achieve partial but not full correction. Our optometrists at Saratoga Vision will perform a comprehensive evaluation including corneal topography to determine whether Ortho-K is appropriate for you or your child.
What to Expect During Ortho-K Treatment
Initial Consultation: We begin with a comprehensive eye exam and detailed corneal topography mapping. This data is used to custom design your Paragon CRT® lenses.
Lens Fitting: Once your custom lenses arrive, we fit them in-office and provide thorough training on insertion, removal, and care. Most patients find RGP lenses comfortable for overnight wear after a brief adaptation period.
Follow-Up Schedule: You will return for follow-up appointments at one day, one week, and one month after starting treatment. We will repeat corneal topography at each visit to confirm the reshaping is progressing as expected and make any lens adjustments needed.
Ongoing Care: Once your vision has stabilized, you will be seen every six months or annually for ongoing monitoring. Regular follow-up is essential to ensure the lenses continue to fit properly and your corneal health is maintained. Call (518) 587-5900 with any questions or concerns between appointments.
Ortho-K is a reversible treatment — if you discontinue wearing the lenses, your cornea will gradually return to its original shape and your vision will revert to its baseline prescription within a few days to a few weeks. This reversibility makes Ortho-K an extremely low-risk choice for patients who want the flexibility of changing their vision correction approach. You may also be interested in our standard contact lens services, hard-to-fit contact lens program, or LASIK co-management for permanent correction alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ortho-K
What is orthokeratology (Ortho-K) and how does it work?
Orthokeratology is a non-surgical vision correction method using custom rigid gas-permeable contact lenses worn only overnight. While you sleep, the lenses gently reshape the cornea — temporarily flattening its central curvature — so that upon waking and removing the lenses, light focuses correctly on the retina without any daytime glasses or contacts. The effect is temporary and reversible; nightly wear is required to maintain clear daytime vision. At Saratoga Vision, we fit Paragon CRT® orthokeratology lenses custom-designed for each patient’s unique corneal shape.
Is Ortho-K safe for children?
Yes. Ortho-K has been used safely in children for decades and is one of the most researched myopia control strategies available. Paragon CRT® lenses are FDA-cleared for overnight wear, and clinical studies have consistently shown that properly fitted Ortho-K lenses worn by children with appropriate parental supervision are safe. Regular follow-up visits at Saratoga Vision are an essential part of the program to ensure lens fit, corneal health, and vision stability are maintained. Learn more on our myopia control page.
How quickly will I see results with Ortho-K?
Most patients notice improved vision within the first few days of wearing their lenses. Significant improvement typically occurs within one to two weeks, with full prescription correction achieved for most patients within seven to fourteen nights of consistent wear. Patients with higher prescriptions may require a longer adaptation period. Follow-up appointments at Saratoga Vision confirm your vision is progressing as expected and allow lens fine-tuning if needed.
Can Ortho-K slow the progression of myopia in children?
Yes. Multiple peer-reviewed clinical studies have demonstrated that Ortho-K significantly reduces the rate of axial eye elongation — the underlying mechanism of myopia progression — compared to standard spectacle correction. The myopia control effect is thought to result from the peripheral myopic defocus created by the reshaped cornea. When combined with other strategies such as outdoor time and low-dose atropine in appropriate cases, Ortho-K can be a powerful component of a comprehensive myopia management program.
What prescriptions can Ortho-K correct?
Paragon CRT® lenses are FDA-cleared for myopia correction up to -6.00 diopters and astigmatism up to -1.75 diopters. Patients with prescriptions within this range are typically good candidates for full daytime correction with Ortho-K. Patients outside this range may still benefit from partial correction or may be better served by other options. Our optometrists at Saratoga Vision will evaluate your prescription and corneal topography to determine whether Ortho-K is appropriate for you.
What happens if I stop wearing my Ortho-K lenses?
Ortho-K is fully reversible. If you discontinue nightly lens wear, your cornea will gradually return to its original shape over a period of a few days to a few weeks, and your vision will revert to its baseline prescription. This reversibility is one of the key advantages of Ortho-K over surgical correction options. If you decide Ortho-K is not right for you, you can transition seamlessly to other correction options — including standard contact lenses or glasses — without any permanent changes to your eyes.
Is Ortho-K more expensive than regular contact lenses?
The initial cost of Ortho-K is typically higher than standard soft lenses due to the custom lens fabrication, additional fitting appointments, and follow-up care involved. However, because the lenses are used nightly rather than discarded daily, the ongoing replacement cost is lower than daily disposable lenses over time. Insurance coverage varies, so our team at Saratoga Vision will discuss all costs and available payment options during your consultation. Call (518) 587-5900 to learn more about pricing in Saratoga Springs, NY.