KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

I heard of ortho-k lense 4 years ago. At that time, my daughter's myopia just started with 50 degree at K1, then jump to 100+ once she entered to p1.

I refused to let her wear the normal spectacle as I believe that would make eyesight even worse from my past experience (Did you see anyone with myopia getting better or myopia being controlled by wearing normal minus lenses? The answer is No.) so I did research and tried many methods to improve her eyesight, such as bates method, eye massage, see the wall chart, eye exercise, let her eat the eyefood and worn plus lenses for a years, etc.
Nothing seems to work, not even to maintain her eyesight.
By the time at P2, she was -300 myopia. I keep on scolding her for squinting her eyes. That's affect the relationship between me and my daughter as well.

During this June holiday, I bought her to Chinese doctor to see if acupuncture will do magic for her. Unfortunately, the doctor told me that acupuncture will not help children with "real myopia". That put my hope into the end. It seems that ortho-k is my last solution.

I did a lot of research online and compare with several ortho-k providers in Singapore (will post service and price comparison at my blog, ortho-k part II). I finally chose my current optometrist who is well-established and seems offer me the better deal. As my major concern is that my daughter is very sensitive to pain, after I talk and negotiate with my optometrist boss, he kindly agree to give me a trial period.

The orthor-k lenses are tiny hard lense that the children will wear at night and take out in the day (just opposite the soft contact lenses). It mould the elongated cornea into the right shape at night so that children can achieve 20/20 perfect eyesight in the day. If the children stop wearing the lenses, the eye-sight will go back to old degree. The idea is to control the myopia, but not cure it. In fact, myopia can't be cured at this moment.

To my surprise, my daughter can put on and take off the lenses by herself after the 1st day training. She also managed to clean and soak the lenses. Within a week, her eyesight have bounced back to perfect eye sight. She does not need spectacle or squint her eye anymore. I am so proud of her!

Well, it had been two months since she was on orthor-k.
so far so good. we still required to do eye checkup every 2 months which offered by my optometrist free in the package. Now, my daughter enjoy her daily sports and study activities without squinting her eyes. I am happy for her too. All the effort and money is worth it, the most importantly - freedom of life.

Below is extracted from my blog:

I did some research on major orthor-k providers in Singapore. Here is their service and price comparison. Hope can benefit other parents as well.

The Point Optical group
------------------------------
Price range: $1500-2200 for two years
The full package include:
- every 2 month eye checkup
- lense cleaning service
- 1 pair of spectacle for backup
- Free change of the lenses if eyes grow within 2 years

Replacement of the lenses: $800-1100 per pairs

I negotiate with the boss for 1 month trial for $200. If not suitable to wear, can change to other product.
As my child's myopia is consider low, I am not sure about other degree. You may mention my case to see if can get the same rate for the trial.

St Issac
----------
- Price range is $1800-$2400 for 1st year
- consultation fee: 1st time $55 for a year
- Subsequent year at $45 yearly registration.
- replacement lens at $650/pair
- do not provide cleaning of lens
- No trial period

Optic point@Shaw center
---------------------
- price range: $1950 for 1st year
- subsequent follow-up $250 every year
- replacement lens: just increased to $900/pair
- provide free lens cleaning
- 1 month trial: $350

MeeMee Optic
----------------
- price range $1600-$1800, including 2 pairs of FOC myopia lens (no frame). Check up every 3 month.
- replacement lens at $800/pair
- do not provide cleaning of lens

Good luck with your myopia prevention.

Thank you for the info.

My P3 boy started wearing glasses this Mar, a big jump when we went back to the optician this July. Now on Myovision lens. If still not controlled, I wld also consider ok-lens.

Jennifer wrote:Thank you for the info.

My P3 boy started wearing glasses this Mar, a big jump when we went back to the optician this July. Now on Myovision lens. If still not controlled, I wld also consider ok-lens.

yah, please share your view here. I am sure a lot of parents also want to know Myovision glasses as alternative. but I think it is hard to tell if the myopia can be slow down by 30% as they claimed.

Thanks amylqf for the insightful information.

Just went to my regular optometrist for my son's refraction check. He was telling me that recently, a P3 girl got cornea infection over use of ortho-k. Apparently she did not observe the cleaning process properly, resulting in infection and I think cornea ulcers.

So far he has only had good feedback on using ortho-k, but in view of the incident above (not sure if it's his customer or just a general story), I think parents must be very aware that the lenses must be cleaned properly and thoroughly.

My son is too young for this, but if his myopia worsens, this is something I will still consider when he is older.

hquek wrote:Thanks amylqf for the insightful information.

Just went to my regular optometrist for my son's refraction check. He was telling me that recently, a P3 girl got cornea infection over use of ortho-k. Apparently she did not observe the cleaning process properly, resulting in infection and I think cornea ulcers.

So far he has only had good feedback on using ortho-k, but in view of the incident above (not sure if it's his customer or just a general story), I think parents must be very aware that the lenses must be cleaned properly and thoroughly.

My son is too young for this, but if his myopia worsens, this is something I will still consider when he is older.

Right. Whether you wear hard contact lense or soft contact lense, hygiene is always important. Can't totally rely on kids. Children are just children. Although my girl handle the cleaning herself. I will still make sure that she use detoll to wash hand and case. I will do the weekly protein remove cleaning.

for those who have younger kids, you must physically and mentally prepare to do the cleaning.

hquek wrote:Thanks amylqf for the insightful information.

Just went to my regular optometrist for my son's refraction check. He was telling me that recently, a P3 girl got cornea infection over use of ortho-k. Apparently she did not observe the cleaning process properly, resulting in infection and I think cornea ulcers.

So far he has only had good feedback on using ortho-k, but in view of the incident above (not sure if it's his customer or just a general story), I think parents must be very aware that the lenses must be cleaned properly and thoroughly.

My son is too young for this, but if his myopia worsens, this is something I will still consider when he is older.

That's what happened to Xiang Yun's boy right? One of the eyes was reported damaged.

amylqf wrote:Below is extracted from my blog:

I did some research on major orthor-k providers in Singapore. Here is their service and price comparison. Hope can benefit other parents as well.

The Point Optical group
------------------------------
Price range: $1500-2200 for two years
The full package include:
- every 2 month eye checkup
- lense cleaning service
- 1 pair of spectacle for backup
- Free change of the lenses if eyes grow within 2 years

Replacement of the lenses: $800-1100 per pairs

I negotiate with the boss for 1 month trial for $200. If not suitable to wear, can change to other product.
As my child's myopia is consider low, I am not sure about other degree. You may mention my case to see if can get the same rate for the trial.

St Issac
----------
- Price range is $1800-$2400 for 1st year
- consultation fee: 1st time $55 for a year
- Subsequent year at $45 yearly registration.
- replacement lens at $650/pair
- do not provide cleaning of lens
- No trial period

Optic point@Shaw center
---------------------
- price range: $1950 for 1st year
- subsequent follow-up $250 every year
- replacement lens: just increased to $900/pair
- provide free lens cleaning
- 1 month trial: $350

MeeMee Optic
----------------
- price range $1600-$1800, including 2 pairs of FOC myopia lens (no frame). Check up every 3 month.
- replacement lens at $800/pair
- do not provide cleaning of lens

Good luck with your myopia prevention.

I was searching through the forum and very happy to find this posting, it's very useful as my girl is in the same situation.

I do have a few questions:

1. which branch of The Point Optics Group did you go to? can you please also share with me the detail of your optometrist.

I check on the web they have a few branches. I am staying in the west so likely to try the CCK branch. The other choice is Mee Mee Optics @BT Plaza but they don't have trial period

(anyone try Ortho-K with Mee Mee Optics before? any feedbacks please?)

2. you mentioned about free lens cleaning service, is that a regular service required and for those shop that does not provide free cleaning, do we just pay a fee or we can do it ourself at home?

3. On average, how much extra time is needed to finish this rountine ? 10 mins at night and 10 min in the morning? My girl is in the morning session so guess that means she got to wake up even earlier for this

many thanks.

croydon wrote:

amylqf wrote:Below is extracted from my blog:

I did some research on major orthor-k providers in Singapore. Here is their service and price comparison. Hope can benefit other parents as well.

The Point Optical group
------------------------------
Price range: $1500-2200 for two years
The full package include:
- every 2 month eye checkup
- lense cleaning service
- 1 pair of spectacle for backup
- Free change of the lenses if eyes grow within 2 years

Replacement of the lenses: $800-1100 per pairs

I negotiate with the boss for 1 month trial for $200. If not suitable to wear, can change to other product.
As my child's myopia is consider low, I am not sure about other degree. You may mention my case to see if can get the same rate for the trial.

St Issac
----------
- Price range is $1800-$2400 for 1st year
- consultation fee: 1st time $55 for a year
- Subsequent year at $45 yearly registration.
- replacement lens at $650/pair
- do not provide cleaning of lens
- No trial period

Optic point@Shaw center
---------------------
- price range: $1950 for 1st year
- subsequent follow-up $250 every year
- replacement lens: just increased to $900/pair
- provide free lens cleaning
- 1 month trial: $350

MeeMee Optic
----------------
- price range $1600-$1800, including 2 pairs of FOC myopia lens (no frame). Check up every 3 month.
- replacement lens at $800/pair
- do not provide cleaning of lens

Good luck with your myopia prevention.

I was searching through the forum and very happy to find this posting, it's very useful as my girl is in the same situation.

I do have a few questions:

1. which branch of The Point Optics Group did you go to? can you please also share with me the detail of your optometrist.

I check on the web they have a few branches. I am staying in the west so likely to try the CCK branch. The other choice is Mee Mee Optics @BT Plaza but they don't have trial period

(anyone try Ortho-K with Mee Mee Optics before? any feedbacks please?)

2. you mentioned about free lens cleaning service, is that a regular service required and for those shop that does not provide free cleaning, do we just pay a fee or we can do it ourself at home?

3. On average, how much extra time is needed to finish this rountine ? 10 mins at night and 10 min in the morning? My girl is in the morning session so guess that means she got to wake up even earlier for this

many thanks.

I will try to answer your question to my best knowledge.
1. It doesn't matter which branch. The boss himself only do ortho-k, nothing else. he will travel around the branches. Just make a appointment at branch which is near to you. e.g. I first meet him at marina, sebsequently I asked him to meet me at tampines branch which more convenient for me. I will go and find the name card and pm you.

For MeeMee, I called before. They seems quite busy with other spectacle business. If you just check for the suitability without commit, you will need to bear the checkup cost.

2. some provide cleaning service, some don't.
my optometrist provide checking and cleaning of lense free every 2 months.

3. just put on the lense, take less than 3 min if the child get use to the procedure. if take out, it is even faster.
you can help with the cleaning if morning time is too rush.

Hope it useful to you.

My daughter was on ortho k lens for two weeks. She always complained that her eyes were pain after i put in the eye drop for her in the morning before i took out the lens. Her eyes were always red when she wakes out every morning and she cannot open her eyes. Even i the evening after i put in the lens for her the moment the eyes turned red also. Can anyone advise? I was worried because i do not want anything happened to her eyes and i already paid in full for the lens of more thank 1k.