Gas Permeable Lenses: Are You a Candidate?

 

While soft contact lenses are most often used, another lesser-known kind of contact lenses exists: gas permeable (GP) lenses, sometimes known as oxygen permeable lenses.

In truth, hard lenses are a more modern technology than soft contacts, and they are longer-lasting, are often more effective in improving vision, and provide increased durability and resistance to protein deposits. Additionally they may also be less expensive in the long run than soft lenses. Of course, you need to first discuss with your optometrist to decide if RGPs suit your needs. Our optometry office can help you determine whether hard lenses are suitable for you.

Because an RGP is made of inflexible material, it retains its shape well when you blink, which tends to allow for clearer vision than the average soft lens. Furthermore RGPs are especially long-lasting. Though they will crack if stepped on, they don’t tear easily like soft lenses. Also, because they're composed of materials that don't include water, proteins and lipids from your tears won't stick to GPs as readily as they do to soft lenses. Those of you who are extra fussy about quality of vision will probably choose RGPs.

Rigid lenses are also an often preferred option for contact wearers with special considerations such as astigmatism, presbyopia or keratoconus, where soft lenses may not fit properly or provide enough variety. GPs are also suitable for those who need contact lenses after refractive surgery.

If you are considering GP lenses, make sure to first speak to your eye doctor to ascertain if you definitely are a suitable candidate. You never know…hard lenses could be the perfect solution for you!