Frequently Asked Questions

Orthokeratology is a reversible, non-surgical procedure that uses a contact lens to gently reshape the thin front surface of the eye (called the cornea) as you sleep. This procedure may eliminate the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses to correct vision.

In general, you will start to see some improvement within the first days of treatment. Most patients should reach full correction within 1-2 weeks, and their vision stabilizes within another 1-2 weeks. However, everyone’s eyes are different, so your response could be faster or slower than average.

There have been several studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of orthokeratology lenses, and more studies are done every year.^1-8

We recommend wearing your lenses for a minimum of 7-8 hours every night for the best results. If you sleep in the lenses for less time, you may not get as much corneal shape change and the vision clarity may fade throughout the day. Don’t worry though; resuming normal wear time will easily restore your vision and the treatment effect.

Even though Ortho-K has been a proven and widely used therapeutic option in many countries for over 20 years, it has received little attention by eye care practitioners and the consumer media until recently. As doctors have begun to recognize the growing problems associated with progressive myopia, they have become proactive in discussing Ortho-K and myopia management with patients and their families.

Ortho-K or orthokeratology is the name of the process of using specially shaped contact lenses overnight to gently reshape the cornea tissue. There are many branded products, such as Euclid Emerald and Euclid MAX, CRT, Dreamlens, and others that are used in the eye care field.

We only produce our lenses in materials that have full U.S. FDA approval for overnight wear. These materials are clinically proven to be safe and effective. There is a wealth of research indicating that Ortho-K treatment is safe for people of all ages, including children.³

Many people appreciate the freedom from daytime optical devices like glasses or soft contact lenses for improved athletic or academic performance, the requirements of certain careers, or just the cosmetic, social appearance.

Ortho-K designs are made with firm, oxygen-permeable plastics, all with FDA overnight approval. This means you may have some “lens awareness” initially as the underside of the eyelids are very sensitive. With closure of the lids, comfort increases and within a few days of adaptation, most patients are completely comfortable wearing overnight Ortho-K lenses. Even better, since the lenses are worn at night with the eyes closed, Ortho-K can be much more comfortable than daily-wear products. If you ever experience pain with any type of contact lens wear, you should contact your eyecare professional immediately.

Simple replacement of Euclid Ortho-K lenses is recommended every 12-14 months. A fresh set of lenses will keep your eyes safe and healthy and provide the best vision possible.

Unlike soft contact lenses, if you miss a night of wear with Euclid Ortho-K lenses, your vision clarity could be reduced the next day. Since Euclid lenses are designed for your unique eyes, it is important to contact your doctor immediately to order replacements. It is recommended that you always have a spare pair of Ortho-K lenses or backup glasses / contacts.

The cost of Euclid Ortho-K treatment is decided by the eyecare professional who provides your family’s vision care. You may be charged based on a specific number of office visits plus the cost of the lenses, or your doctor may bundle the visit and lenses into an all-inclusive treatment plan. Fees also vary based on your geographic location.

Generally, no. Ortho-K is considered an elective program by most insurers at this point.

Absolutely. Euclid Ortho-K lenses can be easily expensed through your FSA or HSA plans.

Visit schedules will vary depending on your eyecare professional and your individual eyecare needs. You will need to visit your eyecare professional several times during the initial process to be specifically measured for the lenses and to ensure that your Euclid lenses fit correctly, then for recurrent health checks as set by your doctor.

Unlike LASIK, which is a permanent surgical correction option, treatment with Euclid lenses is completely reversible. If you want to stop treatment for any reason, simply discontinue wearing your Euclid lenses and your corneal shape and resultant vision will return to the pre-treatment state before you started overnight Ortho-K treatment.

Not all patients are eligible for Euclid lenses; talk to your eyecare professional to determine your eligibility for Euclid Ortho-K treatment.

Euclid lenses can be worn by anyone regardless of age. For the management of progressive myopia, we recommend that you start Euclid orthokeratology treatment between 8 and 15 years of age. Your eye-care professional can recommend the best age to start Euclid Ortho-K treatment depending on your child’s individual myopia progression and family history.^9-22

Patients with mild to moderate dry eye can wear Euclid Ortho-K lenses, but be sure to talk to your eye care professional to determine your best treatment for dry eye prior to starting with Ortho-K.

Euclid lenses are approved for most patients with mild to moderate corneal astigmatism. Talk to your eye care professional to determine your eligibility for Euclid Ortho-K.

To find a Euclid-certified Ortho-K eyecare professional near you, please fill out the dedicated form or call our customer service team at 800.477.9396. We would be happy to find someone in your area!

For most patients, daytime vision is acceptable within 24-48 hours of starting Ortho-K treatment. However, you may find the use of an older prescription of glasses, or your doctor may prescribe disposable daytime soft lenses for the first few days of wear. Your doctor will choose the most appropriate option to meet your needs.

Many patients suffer from dryness, allergies, or eye strain after 12-14 hours of daily wear with soft contact lenses. Ortho-K may offer you the opportunity to relieve these symptoms and requires fewer hours of nightly wear (7-9 hours). Ask your eye care professional if Ortho-K is a good option for you or your child.

Seasonal allergies may require medical treatment in the form of tablets, nasal sprays, or eye drops. These treatments may result in dryness that can make wearing daily lenses less comfortable. Ortho-K lenses, which are worn at night with the eyes closed, may present fewer symptoms of allergies. Ask your eye care professional if Ortho-K is a good option for you or your child.

Euclid lenses can be cleaned and disinfected daily with any approved cleaning system designed for firm gas permeable (GP) lenses. For details on specific brands or cleaner types, please discuss your options with your eyecare professional.

Your eye care professional and their staff will carefully train you on proper insertion and removal techniques that are both safe for your eyes and reduce lens wear and tear from handling. Watch our Insertion and Removal of Euclid Ortho-K Lenses Video to learn more.

Your lenses will be marked with a number on the edge called a “lasermark.” That number is unique to your lenses and will never be used again. You or your eyecare professional can read that number to confirm which lens is which if you ever get them mixed up. Many eyecare professionals will also order your lenses in a different color for each eye to make it very easy to tell them apart.