What Is Orthokeratology and How Does Corneal Reshaping Work?
Orthokeratology, or ortho-K, is a non-surgical way to temporarily reshape your cornea using specially designed contact lenses you wear overnight. You take them out in the morning, and your cornea stays reshaped throughout the day, letting you see clearly without glasses or contacts. It's a real option if you have myopia (nearsightedness) and want to avoid daytime eyewear or slow your myopia progression.
The lenses work by gently applying controlled pressure to the center of your cornea while you sleep. The corneal tissue is flexible and plastic, especially at night when your eyes are closed and tear production is minimal. Over the course of several nights, your cornea flattens slightly, which reduces or eliminates your myopia. The effect is temporary, though, which is why you wear the lenses every night to maintain your clear vision during the day.
At Vision Palace Optical on 1723 Avenue U in Sheepshead Bay, Dr. Julia Sheyko and Dr. Alexander Shlivko fit ortho-K lenses for patients across Brooklyn who want this alternative to glasses, contacts, or surgery. It's especially helpful for teens and young adults whose myopia might otherwise progress, and for adults who are tired of dealing with daytime contact lenses or frames.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Ortho-K?
Not everyone is right for orthokeratology. The best candidates have mild to moderate myopia, usually between -0.50 and -6.00 diopters, though it depends on your corneal shape and other factors. Your eyes need to be healthy, free from corneal scarring, severe dry eye, or conditions like keratoconus. You also need realistic expectations and the discipline to wear your ortho-K lenses every single night.
Children ages 6 and up can be fitted with ortho-K, and many parents choose it specifically to slow their kids' myopia progression. Studies show that ortho-K can slow myopia advancement by 40 to 50 percent compared to regular glasses or contacts. If you're a parent in Brooklyn watching your child's prescription get stronger each year, ortho-K is worth discussing with Dr. Sheyko or Dr. Shlivko.
Adults are candidates too, especially if you play sports, work in dusty environments, or simply prefer not wearing frames or daytime contacts. You do need good hygiene habits because ortho-K lenses require careful cleaning, disinfection, and storage every morning and evening. If you're inconsistent with lens care, you won't get the benefit, and you risk infection.
How Long Does It Take to See Results?
Most patients notice improved vision within the first few nights of wearing their ortho-K lenses. However, full results typically take one to two weeks of consistent nightly wear. Your cornea is gradually reshaping, and it needs time to stabilize. Dr. Sheyko will see you for follow-up appointments during this adjustment period to make sure the fit is right and your vision is improving as expected.
After that initial adjustment phase, your vision remains clear throughout the day as long as you wear your ortho-K lenses every night. If you skip a night, your cornea starts to return to its original shape, and your myopia comes back within a day or two. This is why consistent wear is essential—you're not "fixing" your myopia permanently, but rather managing it daily.
Some patients ask if ortho-K can replace myopia control lenses like Stellest. The answer is that they work differently. Ortho-K reshapes your cornea for daytime clarity, while Stellest lenses with H.A.L.T. technology are worn during the day to slow myopia progression. Many families choose Stellest for kids specifically to stop myopia from getting worse, while ortho-K is often preferred by patients who want clear vision without daytime lenses.
Ortho-K Care and Maintenance
Wearing ortho-K is a commitment to lens care. Every morning, you remove the lenses and immediately place them in fresh solution in a clean case. You never reuse old solution, and you replace your lens case at least once a month. Throughout the day, your case stays dry and clean. Every evening, you clean the lenses again, disinfect them, and place them in fresh solution before bed.
Most ortho-K patients at Vision Palace Optical use hydrogen peroxide-based solutions, which are very effective at disinfection. Some people use multipurpose solutions, but hydrogen peroxide is generally preferred because it's gentler on the specialized lens materials. Dr. Sheyko will recommend the best solution for your lenses and show you exactly how to clean them.
Sleeping in ortho-K lenses is safe when done correctly, but you need to know what to watch for. If your eyes feel uncomfortable, gritty, or red when you wake up, the lens fit may need adjustment. You should never ignore signs of irritation or discharge, because ortho-K lenses are in direct contact with your cornea for seven to eight hours at a time. If something feels wrong, call Vision Palace Optical right away at (718) 998-8400.
Cost, Insurance, and Fitting at Vision Palace Optical
Orthokeratology fitting involves more than a standard comprehensive eye exam. Dr. Sheyko performs corneal topography (mapping the exact shape of your cornea), multiple lens fittings, and several follow-up visits over the first month. This specialized service costs more than regular contact lenses, so it's worth asking about your insurance coverage.
Some vision plans do cover ortho-K, while others don't. Coverage varies by plan, and you should call us or book through Zocdoc to verify your benefits before your visit. If you have Medicaid, MetroPlus, EyeMed, 1199SEIU, or another plan we accept, ask specifically whether ortho-K fitting is covered. Many patients find that the cost is worth it when you factor in not buying glasses or daytime contacts for years.
At Vision Palace Optical on Avenue U, we work with you to make ortho-K accessible. Dr. Sheyko will discuss pricing and payment options during your initial consultation. Once you're fitted, you'll need replacement lenses periodically because ortho-K lenses eventually wear out, but your initial investment lasts months.
Ortho-K vs. Other Vision Correction Options
You might be wondering how orthokeratology compares to regular glasses, daytime contact lenses, or myopia control programs. Each has pros and cons. Glasses are simple and require no contact with your eye, but some people find them inconvenient. Daytime contacts give you clear vision but need to be inserted and removed daily and can be uncomfortable if you have dry eye.
Myopia control lenses like Stellest are worn during the day to slow myopia progression in children. They don't give you perfect daytime vision (peripheral vision is blurred by design), but they're excellent for stopping myopia from worsening. Ortho-K gives you perfect daytime vision and also helps slow myopia progression, but it requires nightly commitment and careful lens care.
LASIK and other refractive surgeries permanently reshape your cornea, while ortho-K is reversible. If you choose ortho-K and then decide it's not for you, your cornea returns to its original shape within days or weeks. That's a significant advantage if you're nervous about permanent procedures. On the other hand, LASIK is a one-time treatment, while ortho-K requires ongoing nightly wear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is orthokeratology safe for sleeping?
Yes, ortho-K is safe when the lenses are properly fitted and you follow good care instructions. Dr. Sheyko and Dr. Shlivko ensure your lenses fit correctly and your cornea is healthy before prescribing them. You sleep with the lenses in, and they gently reshape your cornea overnight. The risks are low if you maintain hygiene, use fresh solution every day, and keep your follow-up appointments. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience pain, redness, or discharge.
How often do I need to replace ortho-K lenses?
Ortho-K lenses typically last 6 to 12 months, depending on how well you care for them and how often you wear them. The specialized material eventually wears down, and you'll notice your vision doesn't stay as clear during the day. Dr. Sheyko will let you know when it's time for new lenses. Replacement lenses cost less than your initial fitting because you've already had the corneal mapping and custom design done.
Can ortho-K correct astigmatism?
Yes, some ortho-K lenses can correct mild to moderate astigmatism. If you have astigmatism, your cornea is shaped more like an oval than a sphere, so Dr. Sheyko uses specially designed toric ortho-K lenses to reshape both the steepness and the axis of your cornea. If your astigmatism is severe, you may not be a candidate, but Dr. Shleyko will evaluate your corneal topography to know for sure.
Do I still need glasses or contacts if I wear ortho-K lenses?
During the day, after you remove your ortho-K lenses, you should have clear vision without glasses or contacts—that's the whole point. However, some patients notice their vision isn't perfectly crisp in low light or at very far distances, and they keep a pair of backup glasses in their bag just in case. For most patients, ortho-K provides enough daytime clarity that glasses or contacts aren't needed, but it's a good idea to have a backup pair.
How much does orthokeratology cost?
Ortho-K fitting costs more than a regular eye exam or standard contact lens fitting because of the specialized equipment and multiple follow-up visits involved. Pricing varies, and coverage depends on your insurance plan. We accept Medicaid, Medicare, EyeMed, MetroPlus, 1199SEIU, Fidelis Care, and many other plans. Coverage varies by plan—call us or book through Zocdoc to confirm your benefits before your visit.
Start Your Ortho-K Journey in Brooklyn
If you're interested in orthokeratology and want to know whether you're a good candidate, schedule a consultation with Dr. Julia Sheyko or Dr. Alexander Shlivko at Vision Palace Optical. We're located at 1723 Avenue U in the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood, convenient for families across Brooklyn including Marine Park, Gravesend, Midwood, and Brighton Beach.
Book your eye exam at Vision Palace Optical through Zocdoc or call us at (718) 998-8400. We're open Monday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm. Dr. Sheyko and Dr. Shlivko will evaluate your cornea, discuss whether ortho-K is right for you, and answer all your questions about this exciting vision correction option.