Ortho-k Manages Your Child’s Myopia While They Sleep!
A major focus of the Charlotte Contact Lens Institute is offering patients the highest performance myopia management options available, and orthokeratology (ortho-k) is one of the top myopia control options, both in the US, and internationally.
Ortho-k is referred to by many names, such as night lenses, OK lenses, OK, overnight vision correction, or corneal refractive therapy (CRT). Regardless of the name, ortho-k is the use of specially designed contact lenses to reshape the cornea, which improves vision. This type of treatment is compared to “braces for the eyes”. Ortho-k is FDA-approved for overnight wear, and although this page will focus on children, ortho-k can be useful for adults as well.
Specific to children, the main benefit of ortho-k is that it is proven to help slow the progression of myopia. Additionally, children in ortho-k have freedom from glasses or contacts during the day. This freedom from glasses during the day has been shown to provide academic and/or sports performance improvements, as well as potential mental health benefits in some circumstances.
How Does Ortho-k Work?
The cornea is a clear, dome-shaped window in the front of your eye that focuses light onto the retina and is responsible for most of the eye’s ability to focus. Eye tissue is very flexible and can adjust if there is a contact resting on it in the right way.
Ortho-k lenses, FDA-approved for overnight wear, gently reshape the cornea as the wearer sleeps, by utilizing the tears between the ortho-k lens and the cornea. This subtle flattening of the cornea’s center alters the way light enters the eye, effectively correcting vision. Upon removal of the ortho-k lenses in the morning, the cornea retains its reshaped form for some time, allowing for clear vision throughout the day without the need for glasses or conventional contact lenses.
The Top Ortho-k Doctors in Charlotte
01 Does Your Office Specialize in Ortho-k Contact Lenses?
Our doctors lecture nationally on the topic of myopia management and are well versed on the various treatment options for myopia, including, but not limited to MiSight, orthokeratology (ortho-k) and the use of Atropine.
Our office has advanced technology which is not commonly found at all optometry offices, and this allows our doctors to provide the best possible results to their myopia management patients. At our office you can expect to spend 100% of your time one-on-one with the doctor, and a very thorough and detailed examination. There are several options for myopia management in children, and the doctor will allow plenty of time to explain all potential options.
02 Benefits of Ortho-k vs. Glasses
Ortho-k not only corrects for myopia, but also actively slows the progression of myopia over time.
Eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses during daytime waking hours offers several unique benefits:
- Active Lifestyle & Sports: Freedom from glasses offers quality of life benefits, whether it’s not having to worry about glasses slipping on the playground, fogging up, or breaking during sports and activities.
- Confidence & Academics: Clinical studies demonstrate increased classroom confidence and improved self-esteem when children are freed from thick prescription lenses.
- Health & Convenience: Eliminating daytime contact lens wear reduces the risk of lost lenses at school, lens dryness in air-conditioned classrooms, and dust irritation during outdoor play.
03 What to Expect from Ortho-k?
It can take around two weeks to attain the maximum vision correction from orthokeratology, although some children experience significant vision improvement within the first few days.
Until your child adjusts to ortho-k lenses, they may feel the lenses on their eyes right before falling asleep. With consistent wear, lens awareness diminishes quickly and nighttime comfort becomes very natural.
It’s important to note that this corneal reshaping effect is temporary and fully reversible. If a child discontinues nightly use of the lenses for 2 to 3 consecutive nights, their cornea gently reverts to its original shape and the previous refractive error reappears. Therefore, consistent nightly wear is essential to maintain crisp 20/20 vision throughout the day.
04 Our Technology for Designing Custom Ortho-k Lenses
During an exam, the doctor will map and measure the surface of your child’s cornea using a unique and specialized device called the Pentacam AXL Wave, and will then design a lens specifically for your child’s unique ocular anatomy.
The Pentacam AXL Wave collects 240,000 different elevation data points across the entire corneal surface. This micron-level data enables our doctors to engineer a truly customized ortho-k lens that delivers maximum centering, comfortable tear exchange, and predictable myopia control outcomes.
05 Is Orthokeratology Safe?
Orthokeratology is FDA-approved and backed by decades of worldwide clinical safety data. The main concern with any contact lens wear is an increased risk of microbial or bacterial keratitis if proper handwashing and cleaning routines are not maintained.
One of the unique advantages of ortho-k is that 100% of lens insertion, removal, and cleaning occurs at home under parental supervision. Children never handle their lenses at school, at the gym, or on the sports field, which significantly minimizes contamination risks compared to daytime wear.
06 Brands of Ortho-k Contact Lenses
Parents often ask what the best brand of ortho-k contact lens is, what the typical cost of treatment entails, and which modality offers the greatest affordability. At the Charlotte Contact Lens Institute, we work with patients wearing many different brands that they have been previously prescribed—including Paragon CRT, WAVE Night lenses, VST lenses, EyeSpace, and Euclid Emerald.
Because our practice is independent and specialty-focused, our doctors select the exact design parameters that match your child’s corneal eccentricity, rather than forcing a single commercial brand.
Our Doctors Lecture Nationwide on Ortho-k
Dr. Walsh has presented specialty contact lens case reports and clinical posters at national optometric meetings, including the Global Specialty Lens Symposium and the American Academy of Optometry.
Dr. Ariel Cerenzie presenting on custom pediatric orthokeratology design and corneal topography analysis.
Clinical symposium highlighting evidence-based myopia control therapies and axial length measurement.
Dr. Heather Cipperly educating fellow optometrists on overnight corneal reshaping and patient selection.
Hands-on clinical workshop covering child lens handling, hygiene protocols, and long-term corneal health.
Why the Charlotte Contact Lens Institute for Ortho-k?
The Team
The team at the Charlotte Contact Lens Institute are experts in myopia management in children, and in fitting customized ortho-k contact lenses.
Advanced Technology
Our office is one of a few practices in the country equipped with the Pentacam AXL Wave and Optovue Solix OCT, which aid in the design and precision adjustment of ortho-k.
Specializing in Ortho-k Contacts for Children
We do not offer traditional eye exams for “normal” eyes. Instead, our patients come to us specifically for advanced and customized contact lenses, including pediatric ortho-k.
Access to the Doctor
Our doctors are directly accessible to answer parent questions between visits, ensuring your child receives continuous support, encouragement, and optimal vision.
Unlimited Answers
We allow generous 90–120 minute appointment slots for comprehensive evaluations, thorough patient education, and unhurried discussions. No rushing in and out here.
Affordability
We keep our overhead costs low and offer very competitive prices as a result. We have monthly payment options available and accept Cherry™, HSA, & FSA accounts.
Summary
Our doctors present nationwide on the topic of myopia management and are well versed on the most up-to-date research, latest techniques, and most effective methods of pediatric myopia management.
Additionally, Dr. Ariel Cerenzie has been honored with the distinction of Fellow of the Scleral Lens Education Society (FSLS), which is bestowed on advanced-level practitioners within the specialty contact lens industry. In fact, currently there are only approximately 300 members worldwide of this elite group of specialty contact lens doctors.
Ortho-k is one potential treatment option for myopia, and during an initial comprehensive exam, our doctors will discuss all available options—including low-dose atropine and daytime dual-focus multifocal contacts. One of the greatest benefits of visiting the Charlotte Contact Lens Institute is the amount of one-on-one time with the doctor, allowing ample time to answer all parent questions and evaluate the ideal treatment path for your child.
Ortho-k Gallery
State-of-the-art corneal topography, precision tear-reservoir fluorescein alignment, and non-invasive anterior segment diagnostics.
Custom Ortho-K Lens Fit & Elevation Topography
Pediatric Anterior Segment & Corneal Health Evaluation
High-Definition Tear Layer & Return Zone Alignment
Ready to Explore Overnight Vision Correction for Your Child?
Schedule a comprehensive 90–120 minute myopia consultation at the Charlotte Contact Lens Institute. Give your child daytime freedom from glasses while proactively protecting their long-term ocular health.