Ortho-K for Children

What are we trying to accomplish with Ortho-K?

There are two treatment goals: useful daytime vision without glasses or contacts, and slower progression of myopia, the medical term for nearsightedness.

Childhood myopia commonly progresses as the eye grows longer from front to back. Ortho-K changes the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, to improve focus. The resulting optical changes also alter how light focuses away from the center of vision, which is thought to help reduce the signal for further eye growth.

Clinical trials have found slower eye elongation in children wearing Ortho-K compared with children wearing standard single-vision glasses. The response varies. Treatment does not guarantee that a prescription will stop changing, and temporary corneal reshaping does not undo the eye's existing elongation.

Could your child be a good candidate?

Ortho-K is often considered for children with mild to moderate myopia, including some who also have astigmatism. Dr. Sturm evaluates the amount of correction needed, corneal shape, and eye surface health before recommending treatment.

Readiness involves more than age. Your child needs to cooperate with insertion and removal, tell you when something feels wrong, and follow a consistent routine. A parent should be involved in hygiene and supervision, especially early in treatment.

Eye allergies, inflammation, significant dryness, or difficulty maintaining lens care may need attention first or favor another approach. Younger children can sometimes do well with parent assistance, while an older child may not be ready for the daily responsibility. There is no single birthday that makes Ortho-K right for everyone.

You do not need to wait until your child is eligible for laser vision correction to discuss myopia management. LASIK is not a treatment for controlling childhood eye growth, and children are not routine LASIK candidates.

What changes during the school day?

Once correction is established, many children can attend school and participate in activities without daytime glasses or contacts. This can be useful for sports, where frames may slip or interfere with equipment, and for children who find daytime contacts difficult to manage.

Some children feel more comfortable participating when they are less dependent on eyewear. We would not promise better grades or confidence, but the practical benefit can matter to a child who dislikes wearing glasses.

Lenses should be out before swimming, and appropriate goggles or sports eye protection are still necessary. Ortho-K corrects vision; it does not protect the eye from injury.

How the examination and fitting work

Dr. Sturm starts with an eye examination, a prescription assessment, and measurements of the corneal surface. Previous prescriptions can help show how your child's myopia has changed, so bring those records if they are available.

The lenses are selected or designed around the child's measurements. You and your child need instruction in insertion, removal, cleaning, and disinfection before home wear. Early visits check the treatment response and eye health, and lens adjustments may be needed as the fit develops.

What should you expect during the first few weeks?

Correction develops over repeated nights of wear. The first noticeable improvement does not always mean vision will remain equally clear all day. Dr. Sturm checks how the lens fit and your child's response are developing before deciding whether adjustments are needed.

Your child may need temporary daytime correction during the fitting period. Ask what they should use for school and activities while vision is changing. Report blur, glare, halos, or difficulty seeing the classroom board, even if your child can read an eye chart well at an appointment.

Follow the prescribed overnight schedule. Missing wear can allow the effect to fade, and results should not be assumed to remain the same after a skipped night.

How do we know whether myopia is being controlled?

Ortho-K changes the corneal shape and therefore the prescription measured while treatment is active. A small daytime prescription does not, by itself, prove that the eye has stopped becoming more myopic.

Axial length is the distance from the front of the eye to the back. Tracking this measurement helps assess eye growth while Ortho-K is correcting vision. Corneal measurements help assess the lens treatment, while axial length addresses a different question: how the eye itself is changing.

At InSight EyeCare, we measure axial length with a Pentacam AXL Wave, which tracks that growth over time and reports how your child's eyes are changing from visit to visit.

Dr. Sturm also needs to review vision, lens fit, and eye health over time. If progression remains greater than expected, the treatment plan needs reassessment. Clear daytime vision is a reason to continue monitoring, not a reason to skip visits.

What parents need to know about safety

Ortho-K lenses are specifically prescribed for overnight wear, but sleeping in them still carries a risk of infection. A corneal infection can cause scarring and permanent loss of vision. Good cleaning habits, parent supervision, and timely examinations are part of responsible treatment.

Keep the routine simple and consistent:

• Handle lenses only with washed, thoroughly dried hands.
• Use the prescribed cleaning and disinfecting products, with fresh solution each time.
• Keep water and saliva away from lenses and their case. Never let your child swim or shower in the lenses.
• Follow the instructions for case care, lens replacement, and scheduled visits.

If your child reports eye pain, unusual redness, light sensitivity, discharge, or a sudden change in vision, remove the lenses and seek prompt eye care. Do not wait for the next scheduled appointment or resume wear before the problem is assessed.

How long will your child need treatment?

Myopia management usually requires care over years while a child remains at risk of progression. The timing of a change or discontinuation depends on the child's progress and circumstances, rather than a fixed treatment end date.

The daytime correction from Ortho-K is temporary. If lenses are discontinued, the corneal effect fades and your child will need another way to see clearly. Stopping also means reconsidering the myopia management plan. Talk with Dr. Sturm before a planned break or switch so vision correction and monitoring continue appropriately.

What does treatment cost?

The cost reflects a custom lens fitting and continued care, rather than only a pair of contact lenses. Ask what is included initially, how lens changes are handled, and what to expect for ongoing monitoring and replacements. Insurance benefits should be confirmed for the specific service and plan.

Call our office at (210) 659-3937 for more information, or book an exam to discuss your child's suitability.

What if Ortho-K is not the right choice?

A treatment needs to suit both your child's eyes and the routine your family can maintain. Other myopia management approaches include specialized spectacle lenses, soft contact lenses designed for myopia control, and atropine eye drops. Suitability and availability differ, and Dr. Sturm can discuss the appropriate options.

Our myopia management page explains the broader treatment choices and how they fit into a long-term plan.

More questions from parents

Can my child start without having worn contacts before?

Previous contact lens wear is not a prerequisite. The important questions are whether your child can tolerate the lenses, learn the routine, and cooperate with your help. Initial lens awareness is possible, but pain should not be treated as normal adaptation.

Is Ortho-K the most effective option for every child?

No single treatment works best for every child. Ortho-K is an evidence-supported option, and Dr. Sturm considers the likely benefit alongside safety, comfort, prescription, and the family's ability to maintain treatment.

Does FDA approval mean the lenses are approved to slow myopia?

FDA approval is specific to a lens and its labeled use. Approval for temporary correction of nearsightedness is not the same as approval for slowing myopia progression. Depending on the lens selected, its use for myopia control may be off-label. Dr. Sturm can explain the recommended lens, its labeling, and the evidence supporting its use.

Can parents have Ortho-K too?

Adults may use Ortho-K to reduce dependence on daytime eyewear. If you are considering it for yourself, our adult Ortho-K page explains candidacy, daily wear, and the comparison with LASIK.

Talk with Dr. Sturm about your child's myopia

An exam with Dr. Sturm allows you to discuss whether Ortho-K is appropriate and what treatment would involve for your family.

Our Cibolo office serves families in Schertz, Universal City, and the surrounding communities, including Marion, Santa Clara, New Braunfels, Seguin, Live Oak, Windcrest, Kirby, and St. Hedwig. Military families at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph are welcome.

Book an exam, or call our office at (210) 659-3937 for more information.