FAQ | Questions we are always asked
Q. HOW CAN I BE SURE THAT NOCTURNAL® NIGHT LENSES (ORTHO K) WILL WORK FOR ME?
A. If you are suitable for LONG-TERM contact lens wear and your prescription is within the LOSE your vision should be corrected. To find out for sure arrange an assessment from a specialist fitter who will supply your custom made Nocturnal® night lenses and check your eyes routinely.
Q. WHAT PRESCRIPTION DO THEY WORK FOR?
A. Nocturnal® night lenses work best for myopia (short sight) up to -5.00. Higher prescriptions or more complex prescriptions (astigmatism) can be corrected but may not get a full correction. Nocturnal® fitters are ‘orthokeratologists’ and have specialist knowledge in contact lenses. Even if you are not suitable for Nocturnal® they will be able to provide the best alternative option.
Q. WHAT DO NOCTURNAL® NIGHT LENSES COST?
A. Typically they are supplied on a monthly care plan with a cost the same price as quality daily disposable lenses. You need to contact your nearest specialist fitter for pricing.
Q. HOW LONG HAVE NIGHT LENSES BEEEN AROUND FOR?
A. They have been being fitted since 2003! But they are only really starting to take off now.
Q. HOW LONG DO THEY TAKE TO CORRECT THE VISION?
A. This varies between individuals. Most people will be fully corrected when you first remove the lenses after just one night. The correction on day one will wear off quite quickly, so you will put your glasses on later in the day. By day four it will be lasting until evening and you will probably feel fully corrected all the time. The correction takes two weeks until fully stable.
Q. WHAT IF I MISS A NIGHT?
A. It can vary between individuals. Your correction will start to wear off slowly on day two without wear. Used nightly they will provide a stable correction.
Q. IS THERE A MAXIMUM OR MINIMUM AGE LIMIT?
A. No. Your fitter will determine your suitability. Young children get the freedom from childhood without spectacles or day lenses along with myopia correction. Adults, along with their vision can get improved comfort as they remove the dryness discomfort from daytime contact lenses.
Q. ARE NOCTURNAL® NOT SUITABLE FOR ANY REASON?
A. If you are suitable for contact lens wear and your prescription is suitable it is worth getting an assessment with a specialist fitter. Eye conditions like keratoconus, ocular surface disorders, corneal dystrophies or diseases mean you would not be suitable. Specialist Nocturnal® fitters often fit contact lenses for these conditions so will be able to advise you.
Q. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN TOLD NOT TO SLEEP IN CONTACT LENSES. ARE THERE ANY SAFETY RISKS WITH NOCTURNAL®?
A. Sleeping in day lenses means you will have lenses in for a day, then a night, then another day. This type of wear increases the risk of infection. Night lens wear means your eye is in a natural environment during the day benefitting from blinking and getting oxygen from the air. Clinical studies shows infection rates with night lens wear is similar to rates with daily disposable day lens wear. This rate of infection is around 5 to 8 infections for every 10,000 years of wear. Good cleanliness and using quality solutions recommended by your specialist fitter is the best way to minimise these risks.
Q. ARE THERE ANY LONG-TERM RISKS?
A. The layer of the eyes surface that changes with Nocturnal® is the shedding skin type cells on the surface. If you stop wearing the effect wears with your eye returning to where it started after a few weeks. All types of contact lenses alter this layer, so all contact lenses have shown over time that no long term issues are caused. Review checks ups as advised by your specialist fitter will ensure your eyes are healthy with the lens wear and care products advised.
Q. HOW OFTEN ARE NOCTURNAL® LENSES REPLACED?
A. Nocturnal® lenses should be changed annually. If a lens is damaged or scratched it should be replaced. Your specialist fitter usually will have scheduled lenses as part of their care plan.
Q. IS IT EASY TO LOSE A LENS?
A. Because you put the lenses in, sleep, then remove them losing lenses is very unusual. Even if lenses dry out it does not cause any issue. In fact the keeping an old pair as spares can be useful. These spare lenses are best stored dry, then cleaned and wetted before wear.
Q. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS VS LASER EYE SURGERY?
A. Laser surgery isn’t reversible and can not be adjusted through your life if needed. It’s a good way of testing whether laser surgery might be for you.
What is the fitting process for Nocturnal® Lenses
The fitting of Nocturnal® lenses follows a similar procedure to conventional contact lenses. A corneal topographer is used to map the exact contours of the eye using thousands of points of reference. This data is then used to produce individually tailored lenses to suit your precise needs. The topographer is also used to check the eye after the lens has been worn.
Fitting and wearing schedule
APPOINTMENTS | 4 steps that will change your life
APPOINTMENT 1
– The optician checks for suitability then accurately measures the contours of the eye. Data is then used to precision engineer your individual lenses.
APPOINTMENT 2
– Lenses are collected, fitted and a further appointment is made for the next morning.
APPOINTMENT 3
– You will start to have clearer vision even after one night. Your eyes and lenses are checked thoroughly and topographic readings taken.
APPOINTMENT 4
– Final check up after a few more days, to ensure your vision is clear and corrected. This check up is to ensure both practitioner and user are totally satisfied with the treatment. Check-ups are then scheduled at similar intervals to those for normal contact lens users.
