Myopia Control   March 6, 2026   •   7 min read

Ortho-K vs. Contact Lenses for Myopia Control in Kids: Which Is Better?

Your child's myopia is progressing and their optometrist has recommended myopia control. You've heard about Ortho-K and soft multifocal lenses — but which one is actually better? Here's the honest comparison.

Why Myopia Control Matters More Than You Think

Many parents think of myopia as a minor inconvenience — just stronger glasses every year. The reality is more serious. High myopia (above -6.00D) dramatically increases the lifetime risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other sight-threatening conditions — not in childhood, but in adulthood.

The goal of myopia control isn't to cure nearsightedness. It's to slow the rate of progression during the critical growth years (roughly ages 6–14) so that a child ends up with lower myopia as an adult — and meaningfully lower lifetime risk of eye disease.

The good news: we now have solid clinical evidence for several treatments. The two most effective non-surgical options are orthokeratology (Ortho-K) and soft multifocal contact lenses. Here's how they compare.

Option 1: Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)

Ortho-K lenses are rigid gas-permeable lenses worn only at night. While your child sleeps, they gently reshape the cornea. In the morning, the lenses come out — and your child can see clearly all day without glasses or contact lenses.

How it controls myopia: The reshaped cornea creates a specific peripheral defocus pattern that is believed to slow axial elongation — the process of the eye growing too long, which is the physical cause of myopia.

Option 2: Soft Multifocal Contact Lenses (MiSight, etc.)

Soft multifocal lenses like MiSight 1 day (the first FDA-approved daily disposable specifically for myopia control) are worn during the day like regular contact lenses. They have a special optical design — distance correction in the centre with a peripheral defocus zone — that signals the eye to slow its growth.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Which Is Right for Your Child?

The honest answer: both work, and the best choice depends on your child.

Ortho-K tends to be the better choice for active kids in sports, children who don't want to deal with daytime lenses, and those with moderate myopia (up to -6.00D). It's also worth considering if your child has had difficulty with standard contact lens wear.

Soft multifocal lenses are often better for kids who prefer wearing something during the day, those with prescriptions outside the Ortho-K range, or families looking for a lower initial cost.

At Avalon Eye Care in Vaughan, we offer both options and fit the treatment to your child — not the other way around. Dr. Simranjeet Sander has specialized training in both Ortho-K and soft multifocal fitting for myopia control.

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Written by the optometrists at Avalon Eye Care, 200 Whitmore Rd Unit 15, Woodbridge (Vaughan), ON.  Back to Eye Care Blog