Ortho-K Lenses | What Is the Cost of Great Vision?

There are contact lenses, and then there are contact lenses. While standard soft lenses offer a good level of comfort and visual clarity, Orthokeratology (ortho-k) contact lenses provide complete visual clarity while eliminating the need for any daytime eyewear. Ortho-k is an excellent choice for just about anyone who wishes to spend their days free of contact lenses or prescription eyeglasses, such as athletes, students, performers and those who work outdoors. Ortho-k lenses are also used to manage myopia progression in children, one of the most popular uses of these customized contact lenses. If you’re ready to upgrade to ortho-k contact lenses, contact Dr. Colleen Mitchell and Dr. Adrianna Hempelmann today.

The Ortho-K Difference

Orthokeratology reshapes your cornea for sharper and clearer vision. These specially-designed gas permeable lenses are custom-fit to the eye’s shape and refractive error. Ortho-K lenses are worn overnight to gently and safely reshape the cornea. Air can pass through the lenses and reach the eye, making for comfortable wear. In the morning, the ortho-k lenses are removed, thus providing clear and crisp vision all day long without any need for daytime contacts or prescription eyeglasses.

Why Does Ortho-K Cost More Than Standard Lenses?

The lenses are designed for your eyes only — and customized products always cost more. The extra time, personalized attention and high-quality material used to ensure a perfect fit all add to the cost. The cost also includes a comprehensive eye exam and precisely measuring the corneal curvature.

Furthermore, the value of ortho-k lenses is largely tied to the reason patients choose them — because ortho-k provides something that other products or procedures can’t. For example, someone who wants corrected vision without having to don daytime eyewear or undergo surgery will opt for ortho-k as all of those needs will be met in a safe and comfortable way.

Parents of myopic children often prefer ortho-k lenses over other myopia management options due to its proven effectiveness in slowing the progression of pediatric myopia, thus improving their child’s ocular health and vision.

The many patients (and parents of patients) who use ortho-k lenses can attest that this unique method of vision correction is well worth its price point.

What About LASIK?

Though LASIK may be tempting, it’s more costly and not a permanent solution. There are a number of patients who undergo LASIK only to find themselves dealing with post-surgery complications. They may also end up requiring additional forms of vision correction 10-15 years down the road. Ortho-k, on the other hand, molds the cornea into a healthier shape, providing a clear and stable visual experience for people aged 6 to 65+. Furthermore, LASIK only lasts for 20-30 or so years, whereas ortho-k can be used for far more.

The Cost of Better Vision

The majority of contact lens wearers use soft lenses. These are usually replaced either on a bi-weekly or monthly basis. The cost of standard soft lenses is roughly $300 per year. However, this doesn’t include the lens solution, which can run close to $150 to $200 per year.

Daily disposable contacts are even more costly, as they are worn once a day and then discarded, eliminating the need for storage or lens solution. Standard daily contacts can cost anywhere between $500-$600 per year, while higher quality dailies can run upwards of $600 to $800 annually.

Ortho-k lenses are a high-quality, 100% personalized set of contact lenses made to fit the exact measurements of your cornea. Therefore, one can expect that a product of such high caliber will appropriately be more costly.

While Ortho-K comes with some high initial costs, the yearly upkeep is quite affordable. Plus, the added benefits of visual quality and slowing myopia progression in children can last a lifetime.

Get Ready For An Ortho-K Upgrade

Whether you’ve been using standard contact lenses or prescription eyeglasses, it may be time for an upgrade. Talk to the optometric staff at Blacksburg Eye Associates about how Ortho-K contact lenses can improve not only vision, but also quality of life for you or your child.

We serves patients from Blacksburg, Radford, Christiansburg, New River Valley and throughout Virginia.