Orthokeratology for Adults
See clearly.
No lenses. No limits.
Wear custom lenses only while you sleep. Wake up with clear, sharp vision — no glasses, no contact lenses, no interruptions to your active life.
The Problem with Conventional Correction
Glasses and contact lenses get in the way.
Orthokeratology eliminates all of these problems. You wear the lenses only at night — and your day is completely free.
Perfect For
Any sport. Any condition. Any environment.
And any other activity where glasses or contact lenses hold you back.
How It Works
Simple. Reversible. Effective.
Corneal mapping
We take a precise topographic map of your cornea. This data is used to design lenses custom-made for your eyes.
Wear overnight
You insert the rigid gas-permeable lenses before sleep. They gently reshape the corneal surface while you rest.
Remove in the morning
Lenses come out when you wake up. Your cornea holds its new shape throughout the day.
Clear vision all day
No glasses. No contact lenses. No prescription goggles. Just clear, natural vision for everything your day demands.
Considering LASIK?
All the freedom of LASIK — without the surgery.
LASIK permanently reshapes your cornea with a laser. Orthokeratology achieves the same result — clear, unaided daytime vision — using custom overnight lenses that gently reshape the cornea while you sleep. No scalpel, no laser, no permanent change.
If you are not yet a LASIK candidate, have a prescription that is still changing, or simply want a reversible option before committing to surgery, ortho-k is the ideal bridge — or permanent alternative.
No surgery or recovery time
Start wearing lenses tonight — see clearly tomorrow morning.
Fully reversible
Stop wearing the lenses and your cornea returns to its natural shape.
Works while your prescription is still changing
LASIK requires a stable prescription. Ortho-k does not.
Significantly lower cost
No surgical fees, no theatre costs, no post-op medication.
The key difference
LASIK
Permanent laser surgery. Irreversible corneal reshaping. Requires stable prescription. Surgical risks and recovery period.
Ortho-K
Overnight lenses. Reversible corneal reshaping. Works at any stage of myopia. No surgery, no recovery, no risk.
Not sure if you're a LASIK candidate? Many patients who are told they are not suitable for LASIK — due to thin corneas, high prescriptions, or unstable vision — are excellent candidates for orthokeratology.
Comparison
How ortho-k stacks up.
| Feature | Ortho-K | LASIK | Contact Lenses | Glasses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clear daytime vision | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| No daytime eyewear | ✓ | ✓ | – | – |
| Safe in water | ✓ | ✓ | – | – |
| No surgery | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fully reversible | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| No dry eye risk during sport | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| No lens loss during activity | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ |
Am I a Candidate?
Most active adults with myopia qualify.
If you're short-sighted and frustrated by the limitations of glasses or contact lenses during sport or daily activity, orthokeratology is very likely an option for you.
Worn only at night.
Insert before sleep. Remove in the morning. That's the entire routine. No midday lens changes, no carrying solution, no fogged-up glasses on the trail.
Book an assessmentFAQs
Questions from active adults.
Can adults use orthokeratology, or is it only for children?
Orthokeratology is highly effective for adults. While it is commonly associated with myopia control in children, adults with stable myopia benefit enormously from the freedom of clear, unaided daytime vision — particularly those with active or sporting lifestyles.
Will ortho-k work if my prescription has been stable for years?
Yes. Adults with stable myopia are excellent candidates. The corneal reshaping effect works regardless of whether your prescription is still progressing. The primary benefit for adults is freedom from daytime correction.
Can I wear ortho-k lenses if I have astigmatism?
Many adults with mild to moderate astigmatism can be successfully fitted with orthokeratology lenses. Toric ortho-k designs are available for more significant astigmatism. A corneal topography assessment will determine your suitability.
How does ortho-k compare to LASIK for active adults?
Unlike LASIK, orthokeratology is fully reversible — you simply stop wearing the lenses and your cornea returns to its original shape. There is no surgery, no recovery period, and no permanent alteration to your eye. It is also significantly less expensive and carries no surgical risk.
Is it safe to swim or surf with ortho-k?
Yes — and this is one of the biggest advantages for water sports athletes. Since the lenses are worn only at night and removed before activity, there is no risk of lens loss or water contamination during swimming, surfing, or diving.
What is the upper age limit for orthokeratology?
There is no strict upper age limit. Adults in their 30s, 40s, and 50s can all benefit. The main consideration is that presbyopia (age-related near vision loss) may require reading glasses in addition to ortho-k for distance correction.
Cape Town · South Africa
Stop letting your vision hold you back.
Book a specialist orthokeratology assessment in Cape Town. We'll map your corneas, assess your prescription, and determine whether ortho-k is right for your lifestyle — with no pressure and full transparency.