What are Night Lenses
Night Lenses are contact lenses that harmlessly correct your vision while you sleep.
This revolutionary technique uses a process called Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) and is a non-surgical alternative to short sighted people who do not wish to wear glasses or contact lenses during the day.
How do they work?
A trained optometrist takes special measurements to map the shape of the cornea (the front surface of the eye).
A customized hard contact lens is then made. The lenses are inserted before sleeping overnight and they gently reshape and flatten the front surface of the eye.
This reshaping helps control how light passes through the eye to correct your vision. Once the lenses are removed, the cornea retains the new shape to give you clear “natural” sight throughout the day. The lenses are comfortable to wear and easy to use.
You can think of a Night Lens a little like a retainer for the eyes. Hence Ortho-K is sometimes referred to as ‘braces for the eyes’.
Ortho-K treatment is a completely reversible process. If the lenses are not worn for several days, the cornea of the eye gradually returns to its original, natural shape and the shortsightedness returns.
Who are Night Lenses For?
Night lenses are suitable for patients of all ages who are looking for an alternative to glasses or contact lenses. For example:
- Active children and teenagers who require sports goggles or contact lenses to play sports.
- Patients who play contact sports where a traditional contact lens can dislodge.
- Patients who find traditional contact lenses dry or uncomfortable, for example in air-conditioned office environments.
- Patients who want the freedom of not wearing glasses and contact lenses.
- Traditional contact lenses should not be worn in water, so nocturnal lenses are ideal for patients who enjoy swimming or watersports.
Am I suitable?
If your prescription is between -1.00 and -5.00 diopters of shortsightedness, then your vision is correctable with Night Lenses. They can cater for astigmatism of up to 2.00 diopters.
You don’t need to have worn contact lenses before, you will be taught how to handle and insert the lenses.
Is it safe?
Unlike laser eye surgery, the process is completely reversible. Laser eye surgery carries much more risk of long-term complications.
Night Lenses are also suitable for children and teenagers, where laser is not appropriate for patients under 21.
Like wearing soft lenses, hand hygiene is very important when handling the lenses. Provided the lenses are properly cleaned with the correct solution there is little risk of eye infection.
The lenses are made of a rigid gas permeable material (or RGP for short). This lens material lets lots of oxygen pass through to the cornea.
As no lens is worn during the day, Night lenses are very suitable for dry eye
patients
Night lenses and Myopia Management
Night Lenses are one of the most effective methods of slowing down the progression of short sightedness in children.
Research shows Night lenses slow down eye growth by more than 50%
compared to traditional soft lenses and glasses.
Recent international studies are also showing that the benefits of using night lenses to control childhood myopia are having long lasting effects into adulthood.
Myopia (short-sightedness) in children occurs due to natural physical growth of the eye.
Myopia can lead to an increased risk of serious eye conditions such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and increased floaters in later years.
The incidence of Myopia has doubled in the UK in the last 50 years – so there is much interest and research in this area currently.
The principle behind this method is that the reshaped front surface of the eye provides clear central vision and produces a slight peripheral blurring on the retina.
The peripheral blurring is key as it has been shown to significantly reduce the growth of the eye and hence lessen the change in prescription over time.
This is the same principle that is used by the Stellest myopia control spectacle lenses and the MiSight daily contact lenses but with the advantage of not needing to wear glasses or lenses through the day.
What to expect
Throughout the day you will have sharp vision. As the day goes on, the cornea will gradually start returning towards its original shape.
As the treatment naturally wears off it will be topped up by the next night’s wear.
Some patients find that the results can last 2-3 days following an overnight wear before they notice any changes, but it is recommended that you put the lenses back in every night to maintain continued and consistent results.
In the beginning, it may take a few days for the vision to stabilize and for your clear vison to last the full waking day. Most patients find they have optimum vision after one week.
Some patients find they experience some glare off lights in dark settings, this is normal in the first 4-6 weeks of treatment.
Aftercare
Night Lenses are removed every morning, cleaned with special gas permeable contact lens cleaning solution then stored in a container until bedtime.
The act of cleaning will microscopically change the shape and curve of the lens. This means that, after a year of daily cleaning the lens will not have the same effect that it had at the start of treatment.
To maintain the best level of vision, it is recommended that Night Lenses are replaced on an annual basis.
We recommend an annual check-up for adults and a 6-month check-up for children to ensure the lenses are working as intended.
The Fitting Experience – Four appointments
At a Night Lenses fitting appointment, we first take a measurement of your eye using a corneal topographer.
This device precisely maps the shape of your cornea to assist us in designing the lens that will perfectly correct your vision.
Once your customized lenses arrive, we will teach you how to
put the lenses in and take them out. You will also be shown how to clean and care for the lenses.
We will check your eyes the morning after the first night of wear to ensure the process is happening as expected and again 2 weeks later.
If any changes to the lens design need to be made, this is covered
in the initial cost.
At a Night Lenses fitting appointment, we first take a measurement of your eye using a corneal topographer.
This device precisely maps the shape of your cornea to assist us in designing the lens that will perfectly correct your vision.
Once your customized lenses arrive, we will teach you how to
put the lenses in and take them out. You will also be shown how to clean and care for the lenses.
HOW TO PUT YOUR NIGHT LENSES IN
- Put (white) towel on a clean surface.
- Place your mirror flat on the towel and get your lens case and solution ready.
- Wash and dry your hands. Beware that towel fluff on your fingers can get on to the lens.
- Practice holding your eyelids apart. It is always the lids that make it difficult getting the lenses in. Remember to roll your eyelid out of the way, keeping your fingertips near your eyelid edge.
- Place your lens on the tip of your middle finger with a drop of solution in it. Bend forwards, look down into the mirror.
- Pulling your lids apart, look straight towards the lens placing it on your eye. Count 1,2,3 and then slowly take your finger away and let go of your lids. If the lens is on your cornea, and not the white part of your eye, it will centre properly when you close your eye.
- For the first few nights you will feel the edges of the lens when you put them in. When you close your eye you won’t feel the lens much. Repeat with the other eye.
- Rinse your lens case and leave to air dry. You can close your eyes and go to sleep!
NIGHT 1 | TROUBLESHOOTING
It is always your eye lids!!
1. Practice holding your lids before you actually try and put your lens in. Roll your lids out the way with your finger tip. Make sure your fingers and lids are dry.
2. Keep both eyes OPEN. Try and look at something detailed like the print on your solution bottle placed beside the mirror on the counter.
3. SLOW DOWN. Move everything very slowly and deliberately.
If you can’t manage don’t worry, take your lenses to your review appointment and practice again.
Morning 1
• When you wake your eye will feel pretty comfortable – usually a bit sticky.
• Take out your lenses, clean them, put them in your contact lens case.
• Before taking out your lenses:
1. Wash your hands
2. Fill your CLEAN contact lens case with fresh solution
3. Put your white towel down to catch the lens if it falls
4. Make sure the lenses are moving on your eye: usually normal blinking will be enough, however, you may want to insert a wetting drop and nudge the lens with the edge of your lower eyelid
YOUR VISION: Do you remember how blurry it was last night? Look out the window. That’s the change after just one night.
Your vision today will only be partly corrected, and it will fade off as the day goes on, so carry your glasses as you may need them later.
Don’t wear any contact lenses dur- ing the day as it will undo some of the night time effect. Each morning it will get better and last longer.
Head for your eye check taking your lenses with you.
DAY ONE | TROUBLESHOOTING
Blurry vision
Don’t worry, sometimes it takes a few nights to have more effect. Keep going! Your eye check will show whether things are as expected for you. Don’t use a sleep mask for the first few weeks as they can affect your vision.
Dry or gritty eyes
Put some wetting drops in to keep your eye lubricated. Your eye will get used to the lenses over the first few weeks, so it will soon feel great when you put the lenses in and take them out.
DAY 2
You are on your way to getting the vision freedom of night lenses!
• Your vision will get better each morning when you wake up. Today it should be better than yesterday.
• It will still gradually fade off today as the day goes on.
• Your eyes are still adapting. Keep going! You will see improvement every day and the handling will get easier and easier.
DAY 3
• You are probably now fully corrected when you take the lenses out and well on your way to visual freedom!
• Don’t let any bad habits creep in! Keep inserting, removing and cleaning your lenses properly.
• Your vision should last most of the day today.
• Don’t worry too much if one eye is better than the other or you are not fully corrected yet. It can take longer with some people, especially if you have a higher or more complicated correction.
DAYS 3 – 14
Are you 20/Happy?
You have probably heard of 20/20 being ‘perfect’ vision. Because your cornea (eye surface) is correcting your vision and not the actual contact lens, there is sometimes a small amount of vision that is not corrected with night lenses. What we are looking for is 20/Happy vision i.e. you’re happy with your vision.
During the first 14 days make sure your vision is 20/happy during the day. If it isn’t, take notes about why to your next check-up: is it one eye? Or both? Indoors? Outdoors? Looking far? Or near?
• If the first lenses fit perfectly your vision will possibly now be fully corrected like this forever!
• If your lenses are altered, you will need another check after you have worn them.
• Your eyecare professional will advise on lens replacement and check-up appointments.
Costs
All initial Fitting Appointments are priced at £100 and are non-refundable.
This includes the measurement appointment, training appointment, next day and 2-week check-ups.
Night Lenses are not covered by NHS eyecare and so cannot be used in conjunction with an NHS voucher.
You can decide to pay up front or split the cost with a direct debit plan
*Avizor GP contact lens cleaning solution or an equivalent product
** Solutions are dispatched on a 3 monthly basis
*** Payment for lenses is due at the 2 week review.
We recommend a direct debit as the simplest and most cost-effective payment method.
Once you have paid the initial £100 fitting fee, you can set up a direct debit at the 2 week appointment.
The benefits include:
• Spread the cost of your lenses.
• Damage or loss cover for 1 pair of Lenses over a 12-month cycle
• Cleaning solution is included at a discounted rate and delivered to your door every three months
• Free sight tests*
• Night Lens checkup appointments included – unlimited.
• 20% off sunglasses
*Sight tests for under 16s and 17-18 year olds in full time education are covered by the NHS.
If you decide a one-off payment is best for you, the cost of the lenses is £400.
This brings the total to £500 including the fitting and appointments.
You will be supplied with enough solution for the first month, but after that you purchase your cleaning solution as required. A three-month supply is usually £26.
Any appointments required after the initial four are priced at £50.
FAQs
Joining the Direct Debit Scheme
We understand that a monthly direct debit can be a big commitment. If, after a few months of wearing your Night Lenses, you decide that you would like to join one of our direct debit schemes then just contact us in store and we can arrange it.
This will allow you to pre-pay for your next set of lenses, while also enjoying the benefits of the Direct Debit scheme such as:
• Spread the cost of your lenses.
• Damage or loss cover for 1 pair of Lenses over a 12-month cycle
• Cleaning solution is included at a discounted rate and delivered to your door every three months
• Free sight tests*
• Night Lens checkup appointments included – unlimited.
• 20% off sunglasses
*Sight tests for under 16s and 17-18 year olds in full time education are covered by the NHS.
Returns policy
If for any reason you are unhappy with the results of the Night Lenses, the lenses can be returned for a full refund at any point within the first 2 months of placing an order.
Appointment charges are non-refundable.