Lens Colour Identification
Your Ortho-K lenses are colour-coded to prevent mixing up prescriptions. Always check the lens colour before insertion:
Red tinted lens
Blue tinted lens
The Importance of Centre Placement
๐ฏ Centre the Lens on the Cornea
The lens must be placed directly on the centre of your cornea(the coloured iris area).
De-centred lenses will not
produce the desired myopia reduction and may cause:
• Poor visual acuity during the day
• Localised corneal distortion
• Ineffective treatment
Check:
The lens should cover the coloured part of your eye symmetrically.
Evening: Lens Insertion
- Wash hands with antibacterial soap (no moisturisers)
- Dry with lint-free towel
- Check lens colour: ๐ด Red = Right, ๐ต Blue = Left
- Inspect lens for debris or damage
Place lens concave-side-up on index finger. Fill completely with preservative-free saline (e.g., Sodium Chloride 0.9%). Do not let solution spill.
- Pull upper lid up with non-dominant hand
- Pull lower lid down with middle finger
- Look straight ahead into mirror
- Place lens DIRECTLY ON CENTRE of cornea (coloured iris)
- Ensure lens is centred - not touching the white part (sclera)
- Wait 2-3 seconds, then slowly release lids
- Check lens is centred on the cornea (coloured part)
- Ensure even coverage over the iris
- Check for air bubbles (dark spots)
- Confirm lens is not touching the white sclera
- Blink slowly to settle lens
Insert ๐ต Blue (Left) lens using same procedure, ensuring central placement.
Morning: Removal & Cleaning Routine
๐ Step-by-Step Post-Removal Care
Use suction tool or manual removal method. Always check lens colour to confirm which eye it came from (๐ด Red=Right, ๐ต Blue=Left).
Place lens in palm of hand. Apply several drops of rigid gas permeable multipurpose solution. UK available brands: Menicare Plus, Boston Simplus, or Menicare Pure.
Gently rub both sides of lens with fingertip for exactly 30 seconds. Use circular motion. This removes debris and protein deposits.
Put the lens into the correctly marked side of the lens case (R=Red/Right, L=Blue/Left).
Fill the lens case compartment only halfway with fresh multipurpose solution. Do not overfill —if over-filled, the lens may ride up and be damaged by the lid.
Remove the ๐ต Blue (Left) lens and repeat steps 2-5.
โ DO
- Rub for full 30 seconds
- Fill case halfway only
- Use fresh solution daily
- Match colour to correct eye
- Centre lens on cornea
- Replace case every 3 months
โ DON'T
- Use tap water ever
- Overfill the lens case
- Mix up red/blue lenses
- Reuse old solution
- Skip the rubbing step
- Place lens off-centre
UK Aftercare Requirements
๐ฌ๐ง UK Professional Standards
According to the College of Optometrists:
- Your optometrist must explain the increased risk of complications with overnight wear
- You must be given an out-of-hours contact number for emergencies
- Regular aftercare every 6 months is mandatory
- An overnight trial fitting is required before beginning treatment
- You should be taught to recognise signs of infectious keratitis
Daily Quick Reference
Evening (Bedtime)
- Wash hands
- Check colour: ๐ด Red=Right first
- Fill lens with saline
- Centre on cornea (iris)
- Insert Right (Red)
- Insert Left (Blue)
- Verify centration
- Sleep 6-8 hours minimum
Morning (Removal)
- Wash hands
- Remove Right (Red)
- Rub 30 sec with solution
- Place in case, fill halfway
- Remove Left (Blue)
- Rub 30 sec with solution
- Place in case, fill halfway
๐ด Red = Right | ๐ต Blue = Left | ๐ฏ Centre on Cornea | โฐ 30 sec rub | ๐งด Fill halfway
Sources: College of Optometrists Guidelines, NHS York Teaching Hospital, Myopia Focus UK, Boston Materials Clinical Guide
Ortho-K is a private service in the UK. Ensure your practitioner is registered with the General Optical Council.


