Objective To evaluate of the effect and safety of wearing orthokeratology contact lens or frame glasses for controlling myopia in children. Methods The clinical data from myopia children, who wore orthokeratology contact lens or frame glasses to control myopia, were analyzed retrospectively. Of 219 children (396 eyes), 145 children (277 eyes) wore orthokeratology contact lens, and 74 (119) frame glasses. The changes of diopter, axial length and corneal endothelial cells were observed and compared one year after treatment in the two groups. Results After wearing one year, the diopter and the variation of diopter were significantly less in the children wearing orthokeratology contact lens than those in the children wearing frame glasses ([-3.03±0.89] DS vs[-3.83±1.25] DS,[-0.84±0.90] DS vs[-1.83±0.71] DS; both P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the axial length between the children wearing orthokeratology contact lens and frame glasses. While the extension of axial length was significantly less in the children wearing orthokeratology contact lens than that in the children wearing frame glasses ([0.14±0.15] mm vs[0.40±0.17] mm, P<0.05). No significant differences in the area or density of corneal endothelial cells were found between the children wearing orthokeratology contact lens and frame glasses. Conclusion Wearing orthokeratology contact lens can effectively control myopia in children within one year, and it had no adverse effects on corneal function.