What You Need to Know: Contact Lens FAQs

Getting contact lenses is a personal decision, and it's one that should be made based on the advice and recommendation of your eye doctor. At Overlake Eyecare in Bellevue and Kirkland, we're committed to making sure every patient who's interested in contacts gets their questions answered. That way we can make sure you're comfortable with the decisions you make about the health of your eyes, and our optometrists in Bellevue and Kirkland will work with you to see if contact lenses are a good choice. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about contacts.

How Long Does It Take to Get Used to Contact Lenses?

Most soft contact lenses are comfortable right away or within just a few minutes. Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) contact lenses take longer to get used to, and it might be a couple of weeks before they feel right to you. In some rare instances, a person just never gets comfortable wearing lenses, but that doesn't happen very often and most people can wear them safely and comfortably.

Are Contact Lenses Hard to Take Care of?

There are disposable contact lenses that are meant to be worn for a day and then thrown away when removed, and some extended wear lenses that are also disposed of after they're worn for a certain length of time. Other types of lenses need to be cared for on a set schedule, but they aren't generally very difficult to care for as long as the proper types of cleaner are used and instructions are followed.

What Is Done During a Contact Lens Exam?

During a contact lens exam, your vision will be checked just like it would be for an eyeglasses exam. Then your eyes will be measured in order to determine their curvature and the kinds of lenses that might be best for you. You'll also be asked about your activities, because some kinds of lenses are safer for certain activities than others.

What's the Difference Between Daily Wear and Extended Wear Lenses?

Daily wear lenses need to be taken out at night, while you sleep. Extended wear lenses can be left in your eyes overnight, and worn for several days at a time before they need to be removed for cleaning. A lot of people like these lenses because they can see well when they first wake up in the morning.

Let Our Quality Optometrists in Bellevue and Kirkland Help You with Contact Lenses Today

By working with us at Overlake EyeCare in Bellevue and Kirkland, you can get the right kind of help for your questions about contact lenses. Whether you're considering a disposable option or extended wear lenses, we have a number of choices you can consider. Our trained optometrists in Bellevue and Kirkland are committed to making sure you get the best lenses for your needs and lifestyle.