Can an entire eye be reshaped?

They reshape the cornea only, which is that clear bubble over the iris, the colored part of the eye.

The cornea is actually a lens that focuses light into the eye so when it is given the right curvature, it acts just like an optical lens in a pair of glasses.

Those lenses are ortho-K lenses , also known as dreamlenses.

The effect is very temporary, sometimes lasting 2 or 3 days before needing to sleep in them again.

"The other guys are correct with their information, but I would add a warning that people seem to be unaware of. Putting pressure on the cornea with the eyes closed for 8-10 hours of sleep deprives the cornea of necessary oxygen (there is no blood supply to the cornea). This is inviting infection with the possibility of ulcer...not a pleasant experience."

no, it doesn't. you continually give bad answers on this and it annoys the fool out of me. show me the studies. EVERY study says that the incidence of "corneal ulcer" in ortho-k is LESS than in EW soft lenses and THE SAME AS *DAILY* wear soft lenses. T-H-E S-A-M-E. ie...exactly zero more dangerous. ortho-k may have its downsides (yes, it's "temporary", except for the myopia control aspect that is) but "increased risk of corneal ulcer" is absolutely NOT one of the cons.

look, I get it. you're an older OMD. ophthalmology is anti-ortho-k, and older docs are anti-ortho-k. I understand your position. but to flat out say that they're somehow "dangerous"...well it just shows that you're either uninformed, or worse: you have an agenda.

they're not dangerous.

The other guys are correct with their information, but I would add a warning that people seem to be unaware of. Putting pressure on the cornea with the eyes closed for 8-10 hours of sleep deprives the cornea of necessary oxygen (there is no blood supply to the cornea). This is inviting infection with the possibility of ulcer...not a pleasant experience.

They temporarily reshape the front of the eye, which changes how light focuses on the retina in the back of the eye.

It is truly temporary. If she wore them every night for 20 years, she'd still revert to her uncorrected vision within a day when she stopped wearing them.