Orthokeratology · children and adults · five practices
Ortho-K: lenses you wear asleep, and see without all day
A rigid lens worn overnight gently reshapes the front of the eye. Out in the morning, clear vision until bedtime with nothing in. For children it slows short sight; for adults it means swimming, sport and work without glasses or daytime lenses.
The problem
What parents and adults tell us about Ortho-K.
- “My child’s prescription goes up every year.”
- “My son hates wearing glasses for football.”
- “I swim every morning and can’t see a thing.”
- “Daytime lenses dry my eyes out at work.”
- “I don’t want laser surgery.”
- “Is it really safe to sleep in a lens?”
These are exactly the people Ortho-K was made for, and we tell you honestly at the assessment whether it suits you.
Why us
We fit Ortho-K at all five practices, from a map of the front of your eye, with reviews at whichever practice is nearest.
4.9 ★ from 600+ Google reviews
“The optician explained everything really clearly.”Patient survey
Before you book, the things people ask
Honest answers to the six things we hear most about Ortho-K.
“Does it really work?” Yes, for the right eye. The lens is designed from a map of your cornea, so the reshaping is precise: by morning the centre is very slightly flatter, which corrects short sight, and the change holds through the day. We check your vision the morning after the first night.
“I was shown the scans and everything was clearly explained to me.”
“Is it safe to sleep in a lens?” With proper hygiene, as safe as any contact lens. The rule is the same: a red or painful eye means lens out and ring us. Children are supervised by a parent, and we review more often in the first months.
“I was informed of everything that was to happen in my eye test, and it was a very thorough appointment.”
“Will it slow my child’s short sight?” By a similar amount to the myopia-control spectacle lenses, on the trial evidence: roughly half. For sporty children and swimmers it is often the best fit, because the day is free of glasses and lenses.
“Getting my two-year-old her first pair of glasses was so worrying, and they sorted us out immediately.”
“Am I a candidate?” Short sight up to about -5 with modest astigmatism, and a cornea of a suitable shape. The map tells us in minutes, and we say plainly if it is not for you.
“Took their time and made sure I was satisfied before I left.”
“What if I stop?” The cornea returns to its original shape within a few weeks. Nothing is permanent, which is also why the lens has to be worn every night.
“Expert advice without any pressure.”
“What will it cost?” For adults the assessment is £95; the first year is £895 up to -4.00 or £1,150 from -4.00 to -6.00. For children the assessment is £150 and the first year is £995, including the fitting, the lenses and four reviews. Each year after is £495. The assessment fee comes off the first year if you go ahead. Aftercare is part of it, not an extra.
| Ortho-K | Assessment | First year | Each year after |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children | £150 | £995 fitting, lenses, 4 reviews | £495 |
| Adults, up to -4.00 | £95 | £895 | £495 |
| Adults, -4.00 to -6.00 | £95 | £1,150 | £495 |
The assessment fee comes off the first year if you go ahead.
Who it suits
Two kinds of people wear Ortho-K
Children with rising myopia
It slows the progression by a similar amount to the myopia-control spectacle lenses, and suits sporty children and swimmers who would otherwise be in glasses. Needs a child who can handle lenses and a parent who will supervise. The other options are on the myopia page.
Adults who want the day free
Swimmers, people in dusty or wet work, anyone who cannot get on with daytime contact lenses, and anyone who is not a candidate for laser surgery or would rather not have it.
Myopia management: all four options → · Children’s contact lenses →
The fitting
What the fitting involves, step by step
Aftercare is part of the package, not an extra. This is how every Ortho-K fitting here runs.
Before the first night
Map, design, teach
- 01
The corneal map
Topography: a map of the front of the eye, plus the prescription and the tear film, to confirm you are a candidate.
- 02
The lens, designed from the map
Made to the shape of your cornea, not taken from a box.
- 03
Teaching
Putting it in, taking it out, cleaning it. For a child, the parent learns too.
Then
Reviews until it is settled
- 04
The morning after
The first night, then a review the next morning to see how the cornea has responded.
- 05
One week, one month, three months
Vision and the cornea checked at each, the lens adjusted if it needs it, then every six months.
- 06
Settled
A spare pair once the fit is right. Reviews at whichever practice is nearest.
Leave a child’s short sight to keep rising, and every year means stronger glasses and more risk to their eyes later in life.
Get Ortho-K right, and they take the lenses out in the morning and see clearly all day with nothing in.
Near you
Book an Ortho-K assessment near you
Fitted at all five practices, with reviews at whichever is nearest.
Ortho-K in Cheadle
Abra & Co, 19 Wilmslow Road, Cheadle SK8 1DW
Five minutes from Cheadle Hulme and Gatley, ten from Stockport and Didsbury, fifteen from Wilmslow.
Ortho-K in Heald Green
Ashworth Opticians, 214 Finney Lane, Heald Green SK8 3QA
Five minutes from Gatley, ten from Wythenshawe, fifteen from Sale and Altrincham.
Ortho-K in Middleton
Abra & Co, 36 Long Street, Middleton M24 6UQ
Eight minutes from Heywood, ten from Chadderton and Blackley, fifteen from Rochdale, Oldham and Prestwich.
Ortho-K in Winsford
Winsford Eye & Footcare, 27 Delamere Street, Winsford CW7 2LX
Ten minutes from Northwich and Middlewich, twenty from Knutsford, Crewe and Nantwich.
Ortho-K in Heckmondwike
Armitage Opticians, 14 Market Street, Heckmondwike WF16 0JU
Eight minutes from Cleckheaton, ten from Dewsbury, Batley and Mirfield, twenty from Morley.
Reviews
What our patients say
4.9★★★★★
G 600+ Google reviews across five practices
“Brilliant service very friendly staff and a no rush service Really informative and helpful when reviewing and selecting a new pair of glasses would highly recommend”Google review · Middleton · July 2026
“Many thanks to Abra & Co. I greatly appreciate the time that they spent helping me select the perfect glasses. The staff are friendly, informative and knowledgeable. I’ll be returning for years to come.”Google review · Middleton · April 2026
“Absolutely fabulous, professional and friendly always looking after me would recommend them”Google review · Middleton · March 2026
Case study
Ortho-K beyond the usual range
The problem. He was short-sighted at about -9.00 and had been told Ortho-K could not correct him, because his prescription was beyond the range it is normally used for.
What we did. We mapped his corneas and designed a two-stage plan. A first custom Ortho-K lens reduced his prescription from about -9.00 to -5.00. Once that was stable, a second design took him from -5.00 to plano.
The result. His eyes took about three weeks to adapt. He now sees clearly all day without glasses or daytime lenses, and he is very happy with the result. Shared with his permission.
More from our specialist clinic: scleral and hand-painted lenses · keratoconus · all contact lenses
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe?
With proper hygiene, yes, the same as any contact lens, with the same rule: a red or painful eye means lens out and ring us. Children are supervised by a parent for cleaning and insertion, and we review more often in the first months.
Does it work for every prescription?
Short sight up to about -5 with modest astigmatism, and the eye has to be a suitable shape. We tell you at the assessment whether you or your child is a candidate.
What if I stop?
The eye returns to its original shape within a few weeks. Nothing is permanent.
What does it cost?
For adults the assessment is £95; the first year is £895 up to -4.00 or £1,150 from -4.00 to -6.00. For children the assessment is £150 and the first year is £995, including the fitting, the lenses and four reviews. Each year after is £495. The assessment fee comes off the first year if you go ahead.
Where is it fitted?
At all five practices, with reviews at whichever is nearest.
How quickly does it work?
Most people see a clear improvement after the first night and full effect within a week or two. Low prescriptions settle fastest.