Night Contacts: Overnight Lenses for Daytime Vision
Night contacts are custom lenses worn during sleep to temporarily reshape the front of the eye. This treatment is called orthokeratology, or Ortho-K. You remove the lenses when you wake up. The goal is clearer daytime vision without lenses, but results and how long they last vary.
These are different from soft contacts approved for extended wear. If you're looking for contacts you can leave in overnight, check which type you mean before choosing a lens. Ordinary daytime contacts should come out before sleep. Learn how the FDA distinguishes lens types.
An eye exam is needed to find out whether Ortho-K suits your eyes. Find a sleepSEE provider to discuss your goals.
What are night contacts?
Night contacts are specially fitted, firm contact lenses that let oxygen pass through. They change the shape of your cornea—the clear front surface of your eye—to help it focus light. Ortho-K is mainly used to correct nearsightedness, which makes distant objects look blurry.
You may see them called night contact lenses, overnight contact lenses, or sleep contacts. Those names can be confusing. Ask whether the person means Ortho-K or a lens that corrects vision while you wear it.
The Ortho-K effect is temporary. You need to keep wearing the lenses on the schedule your doctor prescribes. Some people have useful correction throughout the day; others notice that it fades sooner. FDA: Ortho-K and its temporary effect.
How do the three lens types differ?
On a small screen, scroll the table sideways to compare all three lens types.
| Question | Overnight Ortho-K lenses | Extended-wear soft contacts | Daytime contacts |
|---|---|---|---|
| What do they do? | Temporarily reshape the cornea to improve vision after removal. | Correct vision while the lenses are in your eyes. | Correct vision while the lenses are in your eyes. |
| When do you wear them? | During sleep, on your prescribed schedule. | Overnight only if the exact lens and your eye doctor's plan allow it. | During waking hours; remove before sleep. |
| When do you remove them? | On waking, as directed. | At the times your doctor specifies for that lens. | Before sleep, and as directed for cleaning or disposal. |
| Is clearer vision without lenses the goal? | Yes, but the amount and duration of correction vary. | No lasting correction after removal is intended. | No lasting correction after removal is intended. |
| What fitting and care are needed? | A custom fit, lens-care training, and follow-up exams. | A prescription, eye-health checks, and the specified care and replacement schedule. | A prescription, eye-health checks, and the specified care and replacement schedule. |
This table explains different uses. It does not rank the lenses by safety. Overnight wear needs a specific plan from your eye doctor. Source: FDA lens-type guide.
What does the routine involve?
- Start with an exam. Your doctor checks your prescription and eye health, measures your cornea, and discusses your daily needs.
- Learn to use your lenses. Your care team teaches you how to put them in, take them out, clean them, and store them.
- Follow your wear schedule. Wear the lenses during sleep as prescribed. Remove them when you wake up and follow your cleaning plan.
- Keep your follow-up visits. Your doctor checks the fit, your eye health, and your vision. The plan may need changes.
Don't skip visits because your vision seems clear. Ask what to do if you miss a wear period or need backup glasses. The sleepSEE process guide explains the care pathway.
Could night contacts suit you?
Ortho-K may be worth discussing if you're nearsighted and want less reliance on daytime glasses or contacts. You also need to be willing and able to handle the lenses, follow the care routine, and return for checks.
Your prescription is only one part of the decision. Your doctor also needs to check the shape of your cornea, your eye health, and your vision needs. The aim is a plan that works for your eyes and your day—not a promised vision result.
Tell your doctor about dry-eye symptoms, past eye surgery, and any reason you were told LASIK might not suit you. Those details need their own assessment; they don't establish that Ortho-K is right for you. Read more about Ortho-K for adults.
What are the risks and care needs?
Contact lenses can cause irritation, scratches, and infections. Some infections can damage sight. A temporary treatment effect does not mean that every possible complication is temporary.
Your care plan should cover hand hygiene, the right cleaning products, lens storage, and follow-up visits. Keep lenses away from water, including tap water. Use fresh solution as directed; don't add new solution to old solution in the case.
If you develop pain, redness, light sensitivity, discharge, or blurred vision, take the lenses out and contact your eye care professional right away. Don't put them back in while waiting for advice. FDA guidance on contact lens risks and warning signs.
Ask your provider which lens they plan to fit, what its FDA record and labeling cover, and what that means for your care. A brand or program name alone doesn't answer those questions.
How much do night contacts cost?
As checked September 25, 2026, the sleepSEE daytime vision-correction program starts at $2,400 for the first year at the founding Fayetteville location. This is a program fee, not a nationwide lens price or a per-eye surgical price.
The same page lists a $93 evaluation credited toward enrollment and replacement lenses at $245 each. Ask your provider what your quote includes, what follow-up care costs, and which supplies or replacements may cost extra.
See the current Ortho-K pricing and payment details for program differences, terms, and the full cost explanation. Confirm your own fees before starting care.
What is the next step?
Start with a conversation and an eye exam. Tell the provider what you hope to do without daytime lenses, what your current prescription is if you have it, and any past problems with contact lenses.
Useful questions include:
- What results are realistic for my eyes?
- What wear and cleaning schedule would I need?
- What should I do if my vision changes or my eyes feel sore?
- What is included in my first-year fee and later care?
Find a sleepSEE provider to discuss night contacts.
Common questions
Can I sleep in my regular contacts?
Don't sleep in contacts prescribed only for daytime use. Some lenses allow overnight wear, but only under the plan your eye doctor gives you. They are not the same as overnight Ortho-K lenses.
Will I see clearly all day?
That is the goal for suitable Ortho-K wearers, but it is not guaranteed. The amount of correction and how long it lasts vary. Your doctor will check your vision and discuss any need for backup glasses.
Do I have to wear night contacts every night?
Follow the schedule your doctor prescribes. Keeping the effect requires ongoing lens wear. Don't change your schedule on your own because one day went well.
What happens if I stop wearing them?
The reshaping effect wears off, and your previous nearsightedness returns. Ask your doctor how to manage the change and when to update any glasses or daytime contacts.
Are night contacts a permanent alternative to LASIK?
No. Ortho-K offers temporary correction without surgery and requires continued lens wear. Whether it is an option for you needs an eye exam; being unsuitable for LASIK doesn't answer that question.
Can I order night contacts without a fitting?
Ortho-K needs a prescription and a custom fit. Start with an eye care professional who is trained to fit the lens being considered. An online description or screening result cannot replace that exam.
Where can I learn about Ortho-K for my child?
This guide focuses on adults. If you’re researching care for your child, visit our children’s myopia care guide. An eye doctor can explain the options for your child’s eyes.