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Contact Lenses
Our goal in contact lens fitting is to provide you with lenses that give you clear and comfortable vision, are safe and are easy to use and acquire. With the vast array of contact lenses on the market, who you select to obtain them from, does make a difference between reaching this goal and not.
Contact Lens Types
Soft. Soft lenses, otherwise known as hydrogel lenses, are – as the name implies – soft, and pliable. Much larger than hard contact lenses, soft lenses drape over the entire cornea and are known for their superior comfort. In as much as they conform to the surface of the cornea, they do not correct for corneal optical considerations such as astigmatism. In such cases, special soft lenses called Toric lenses are used. The comfort and versatility of soft lenses enables us to fit them not only for conventional daily wear but also for extended wear, multifocal, cosmetic colored, post-surgical and more. All soft contact lenses are inherently oxygen permeable.
Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP). Since our corneas do not contain any blood (as they must remain clear), they transpire directly via the atmosphere. When we close our eyes, transpiration of oxygen occurs through the capillaries in the inside of our eyelids. The old-fashioned hard (polymethylmethacrylate) contact lenses of the sixty’s and seventy’s were not oxygen permeable and frequently caused significant corneal problems such as edema and neovascularization (abnormal blood vessels growing into the oxygen-starved cornea). RGP lenses refer to hard contact lenses that are oxygen permeable. Because all soft lenses are gas permeable, we do not make such a differentiation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I start?
As part of our goal of providing our patients with clear, comfortable and healthy vision, we feel that it is important to have your eyes thoroughly examined within 6 months of your contact lens fitting. A contact lens fitting can be scheduled at the same time as your eye examination, or as a separate appointment with one of our optometric physicians.
Will they hurt?
We have all experienced an eyelash, or dust that irritates our eyes. Soft contact lenses are designed to be worn comfortably for long periods and as such, are very comfortable to wear.
RGP contact lenses are less comfortable initially, but become more comfortable with adaptation over approximately two-four weeks. An appealing RGP contact lens alternative that corrects your vision during sleep and is removed during the day is the CRT contact lens. The discomfort associated with daytime RGP contact lens wear is eliminated with CRT contacts.
What is involved in being fit for contacts?
During your contact lens evaluation, one of our optometric physicians will discuss your lifestyle, occupational and visual needs. This will help to determine the contact lens option that best suits these needs. Measurements will be made to appropriately match the fit of the lens to your eye. A pair of diagnostic lenses will enable you to test the contact lenses in your normal work and home environments. A staff member will train you on the proper insertion, removal and care of your new lenses. You will then be scheduled for a follow-up appointment to determine if the the contact lenses are meeting your needs and our goals for clear, comfortable and safe wear.
What cost considerations should I be aware of for my contact lens fitting?
We charge an affordable one-time fitting fee, which varies by the complexity of the fit. This fee covers the fitting and 2 contact lens-related contact lens office visits.
Are contact lens prescriptions the same as a prescription for glasses?
A prescription for spectacle lenses or glasses describes the power of the lens needed to see clearly and comfortably, while a, a contact lens prescription contains additional specifications. Contact lens prescriptions often differ from spectacle lens prescriptions because the power is adjusted for the difference in the lens position in front of the eye.
Contact lens prescription “expiration dates” are determined by the doctor on an individual basis, but may not exceed two years in the state of Washington.
Are all contact lenses essentially the same?
Contact lenses are very different in what they are made of, their design for comfort and how they correct your vision. Once the parameters of your contact lenses have been finalized, similar soft contact lenses may be ordered through any qualified contact lens distributor . Rigid gas permeable contact lenses may have unique characteristics depending on the lab that manufactured that particular lens design.
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How do I order contact lenses?
If you are an existing Selah Vision Clinic patient, you can easily order contact lenses online with your valid contact lens prescription. Order your contact lenses here.
Selah Vision Clinic provides this service only to our current patients.
If you are interested in scheduling an appointment, click here.
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