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Contact Lenses and Contact Lens Ordering
 Soft Contact Lenses
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) Contact Lenses
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 at least 6 months of being fit for contact lenses. If there are no contraindications to wearing contact lenses, a contact lens fitting evaluation appointment is scheduled either concurrent with your eye examination, or as a separate appointment with one of our optometric physicians.
Will they hurt?
Unlike an eyelash, or dust that irritates our eyes, soft contact lenses are designed to be worn comfortably for long periods. For the athlete who needs glasses, a surgeon performing an operation, or those who would like to enjoy the freedom of wearing non-prescription sunglasses on sunny days, soft contacts 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.
Click here to read more about CRT contacts.
What is involved in being fit for contacts?
During your contact lens evaluation, our optometric physicians will discuss your lifestyle, occupational and visual needs with you. We will present your best contact lens options that suit these needs. Measurements are made to appropriately match the fit of the lens to your eyes. We will enable you to wear trial lenses and experience them in order to make a better assessment of their performance. You will then be scheduled for a follow-up appointment to determine if the contact lenses are meeting our mutual goals of clear, comfortable, safe, and easy to use contact lenses.
What cost considerations should I be aware of for my contact lens fitting?
We charge an affordable one-time evaluation fee, which varies by the complexity of the fit. This fee covers the fitting and all contact lens-related evaluations necessary within a set global period until our mutual goals of successful contact lens wear are met. You will then be given a contact lens prescription valid for two years in the state of Washington.
Are contact lens prescriptions the same as a prescription for glasses?
Whereas a prescription for glasses provides information on what is needed to see clearly and comfortably, a contact lens prescription contains additional information about the contact lens type and design.
Also, the prescription for the contact lens power to enable you to see clearly is often not the same as that for glasses. Contact lens prescriptions are valid for 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 you have acquired your contact lens prescription, that specific soft contact lens is the same, and may be ordered through any qualified contact lens distributor . RGP contact lenses however, do differ slightly in their design, depending upon where they are acquired.
Is there a guide on how to insert and remove soft contact lenses?
After we have thoroughly instructed you on the proper care, insertion and removal of soft contact lenses, we encourage you to view an excellent online tutorial. This resource was produced by CooperVision, one of our contact lens manufacturers. Click here for the tutorial.
How do I order contact lenses?
You may easily order contact lenses by callling us during office hours or conveniently order online 24/7 with your valid contact lens prescription.
Click icon to re-order your contacts
(Broadway Vision Source sells contact lenses only to our patients)
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