Ortho-K and Invisalens
Am I a Candidate for Ortho-K?
Good candidates are generally nearsighted up to about six dioptres with astigmatism under roughly one and a half, with healthy corneas and a stable nightly routine. Candidacy is decided from a corneal topography map, not from your glasses prescription.
In short
Corneal shape decides it, not the number on your prescription.
The most common misconception about Ortho-K candidacy is that it is a prescription threshold. It is not. Two people with identical prescriptions can have very different corneal shapes, and the shape determines whether an overnight lens can achieve the required change predictably.
That is why the candidacy appointment is a genuine examination rather than a consultation. Corneal topography maps the surface in three dimensions, ocular health is assessed, tear film quality is checked, and the answer comes out of the data.
Being told no is a real possible outcome and a useful one. Anyone who fits a lens without answering the shape question first is guessing.
What to expect
- What generally suits it well
- Nearsightedness up to about six dioptres, astigmatism up to roughly one and a half, a regular corneal shape, healthy ocular surface, and a consistent nightly sleep pattern of six hours or more.
- What generally does not
- Very high prescriptions, significant irregular astigmatism, active corneal disease, severe untreated dry eye, or a schedule that makes consistent overnight wear impossible.
- What is decided case by case
- Keratoconus, previous refractive surgery, older children with rapidly progressing myopia, and adults approaching presbyopia are all individual judgements rather than automatic yes or no.
Our process
Comprehensive eye examination60 to 90 minutes
Eye health, refraction, corneal topography and tear film assessment, all in one appointment.
Review of the mapssame visit
The topography is discussed with you directly, so the reasoning behind the answer is visible rather than asserted.
A clear recommendationsame visit
Suitable, not suitable, or suitable with caveats, with the alternatives explained either way.
What this does not do
- A candidacy assessment is not a guarantee of the final result. Corneal response varies and the design is refined during settling.
- Suitability can change. Corneal health is reassessed at every annual review.
Questions and answers
I have astigmatism. Am I ruled out?
Not necessarily. Astigmatism up to around one and a half dioptres is routinely corrected with overnight lenses, and modern toric designs stretch further. Whether yours is corneal or internal matters, which is another thing topography answers.
I have keratoconus. Can I have Ortho-K?
Keratoconus needs a different approach. The irregular corneal shape does not respond predictably to reshaping, and scleral lenses are usually the right answer instead. It is assessed individually.
Does age rule me out?
Not on its own. Children as young as six and adults well into their fifties are fitted. What matters more is corneal health, prescription, and whether consistent nightly wear is realistic.
What if I only sleep five hours?
Short sleep reduces the correction achieved. Six hours is generally considered the practical minimum, and it is worth being honest about this at the assessment rather than discovering it afterwards.
Talk to someone about am i a candidate for ortho-k?
Appointments are scheduled two per hour, so there is time to answer questions properly. Call (480) 706-3937 or request a time online.