If you’ve ever wished to have clear vision without the daytime inconvenience associated with glasses or contact lenses, Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K Lenses, could be exactly what you are looking for.
These uniquely designed lenses gently reshape your cornea while you sleep, which means you have clear, natural vision throughout the day without contact lenses or glasses.
In this blog, we focus on the latest technological advances in vision care, which includes ortho-k for our myopia patients.
What Is Orthokeratology/Ortho-K?
Orthokeratology (also known as Ortho-K) is a specialized process using specially–designed and fitted gas permeable contact lenses to reshape the corneal surface in order to temporarily reverse the effects of myopia, hyperopia and/or astigmatism.
Anyone can have clear, sharp daytime vision without glasses or contact lenses, thanks to the ortho-k process of wearing specially designed contact lenses to sleep each night.
Studies demonstrate that ortho-k lenses not only eliminates the need to wear glasses or traditional daytime contact lenses during the day, but it can also inhibit and in some cases stop the development of myopia.
That matters because children with moderate to high myopia have an increased risk of sight-threatening eye diseases in adulthood.
It’s this detail that leads many optometrists to recommend ortho-k for myopia control.
The Other Names For Ortho-K
Over the years you may have heard various names of orthokeratology. Although numerous orthokeratology lens fitting systems and designs exist, the underlying concept for each of them in corneal reshaping is essentially the same. These names include:
- Ortho-k
- Accelerated Ortho-K (AOK)
- Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT)
- Dream Lenses
- Global Orthokeratology Vision (GOV)
- Gentle Vision Shaping System (GVSS)
- Molding Lenses
- Natural Vision Improvement
- Night Lenses
- Overnight Lenses
- Overnight Corneal Reshaping (OCR)
- Vision Shaping Treatment (VST)
What Are Ortho-K Lenses?
Ortho-K lenses are individually made hard‚ breathable contact lenses that you wear overnight. While you sleep, the lenses gently and temporarily reshape your cornea to correct your vision, so you can see clearly without glasses or contact lenses when you wake up. You pop them out in the morning and see throughout the day with perfect vision–no glasses or contacts!
How Do Ortho-K Lenses Work?
Problems with vision, such as myopia, arise from the manner in which light enters the eye and how it focuses on the retina. Ortho-K lenses exert pressure on the cornea that flattens it, altering the path of light into the eye and causing it to focus properly.
The effect usually lasts for an entire day, providing a convenient rimless glasses alternate to laser eye surgery or every day eyewear contacts.
Ortho-K and safe with good hygiene and lens care There have been no adrenal/corneal pathogen disease process with Ortho-K, as well as with proper lens wear and maintenance.
Since the lenses are only worn at night and taken out in the morning, the risk of complications is reduced in comparison to wearing lenses during the day. Follow-up visits help to ensure your eyes are healthy and your vision remains clear.
Who Can Benefit from Ortho-K Lenses?
Ortho-K fits both kids and adults, but is particularly effective for children with progressive myopia. Early treatment of myopia can help minimise the risk of other serious eye problems in later life, such as retinal detachment or glaucoma. Active people and sports enthusiasts also consider Ortho-K to be helpful because they don’t have to wear glasses or contacts during the day.
Given Dubai’s sunny weather and the extravagant lifestyle, there are several benefits that Ortho-K lenses provide:
Hassle-Free: Perfect for those participating in sports, swimming, or those sick of the daylight.
Excellent For Kids: A clinically proven method to slow the progression of childhood myopia.
Surgery-Free Solution: The answer you have been looking for to get rid of your glasses or contacts without any laser surgery.
Soft pajamas: The younger generation is being marketed nightwear made of breathable material.
Who Can Use Ortho-K Lenses?
Ortho-K is suitable for:
- Ages 7 and immediately above with progressive myopia
- Low-to moderate-myopes in adults
- There are some patients who do not qualify for LASIK
- Active people in Dubai’s sunny weather
Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor in Dubai to find out whether Ortho‐K is the right solution for your vision requirements.
How long does Ortho-K Last?
If you take good care of them, a set of Ortho-K lenses can last 12 to 18 months. How I use it I use the mask every night, which is the only way your vision correction won’t let up, so it’s definitely about staying consistent. A lot of users said they can see clearly after only one night.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Like all contact lenses, Ortho-K has some minor risks:
Initial Discomfort: It might take a couple of nights.
Dry Eyes: Common and can be treated with eye drops.
Risk of infection: As with any lens, the risk can be higher if you are not careful with hygiene.
Pro Tip: If you’re worried about how tofix dry eye syndrome, try preservative-free artificial tears along with appropriate lens hygiene.
How Ortho-K Lenses Correct Vision Without Surgery in the UAE
Unlike LASIK or PRK, which change the shape of your cornea permanently with the assistance of a laser, Ortho-K lenses in the UAE shape the cornea gently and temporarily while you are sleeping.
This reshaping directs light to the retina the way it should, and patients experience better vision while awake—no surgeries, no downtime, and no permanent modifications.
This is what makes Ortho-K particularly favored by:
- Young Children and Progressing Myopia Teenagers
- Adults who are not candidates for LASIK for dry eyes or thin corneas
- Athletes and outdoorsmen who want to be free of a daytime eyewear nuisance
In a place like Dubai, with dry eyes and sand being problematic for traditional lenses, method also comes with comfort and convenience.
Ortho-K Lenses vs. LASIK Lenses: Which One Is Best in the UAE
| Feature | Ortho-K Lenses | LASIK Surgery |
| Procedure Type | Non-surgical | Surgical |
| Reversibility | Reversible | Permanent |
| Ideal For | Kids & adults | Adults 18+ |
| Cost in Dubai | Moderate (ongoing) | High (one-time) |
| Dry Eye Risk | Low | High |
| Vision Improvement Time | 1–2 days | 1–2 days |
So, Using the Ortho-K Lenses is better than LASIK .
Are Overnight Ortho-K Lenses Safe?
Yes. Ortho-k is a safe, non-surgical, and reversible alternative to LASIK. It’s great for any working adult with an active lifestyle who wants to avoid wearing contact lenses or glasses.
Not all contact lenses should be worn while sleeping and will do irreparable damage to your eyes when doing so, but ortho-k lenses are specifically designed for this.
And like all contact lenses, be sure to follow how to care for and handle your overnight lenses as directed by your eye doctor.
Where Buying Ortho-K Lenses in Dubai
Looking for Ortho-K lenses Dubai? Here’s where to start:
Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai – Advanced orthokeratology services
Magrabi Eye Center – and know for pediatric Ortho-K pernettes
Specialist Fitting and Aftercare at one of our Dubai Optical Clinics
Purchase Online: Some UAE optical sites will enable the upload of prescriptions, but it is not advisable to purchase without a face-to-face fit.
Final Thoughts
While you were asleep, Ortho-K contact lenses provide a revolution in vision correction for anyone dissatisfied with glasses and LASIK—and that includes the people of Dubai and the UAE looking for clear, safe vision without having to rely on glasses.
Ortho-K has arrived to the UAE, and is revolutionising children’s myopia management, and providing adults with a surgery-free vision correcting option.
Feeling sick of glasses or wary of laser surgery? Speak to a licensed orthokeratology practitioner in Dubai and find out how overnight lenses are revolutionizing mornings.
All Question About Ortho-K in the UAE
Q: Can I order Ortho-K lenses in Dubai online?
A: You can buy them online, but you do need to see a certified eye doctor for an accurate fit.
A: Can Ortho-K Same Brand Treat Astigmatism?
A: Yes, quite a few of them now do correct low-to-moderate astigmatism.
Q: Is Ortho-K treatment safe for kids?
A: Absolutely. They are believed to be one of the most effective choices for controlling child myopia.
Q: What does it feel like to wear Ortho-K lenses?
A: A few people feel minor discomfort in the initial days, but it’s rare to over do it.
Q: Is ortho-k better than Lasik?
A: Yes. Ortho-K is approved for all ages.
Q: What is the success rate of Orthokeratology?
For children and adults with a successful ortho-k treatment of at least one year of duration, 88.7% and 95.9% of eyes had a predictable refractive outcome, and efficacy was 0.98 and 1.01, respectively.
