While you may be more accustomed to soft contact lenses, a second, lesser-known brand of contact lenses exists: rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses, also called oxygen permeable lenses.
In reality, hard lenses involve more modern technology than soft lenses, which last longer, can be more effective in improving vision, and offer better resilience. Additionally RGP lenses may also be cheaper in the long term than soft lenses. Of course, its advised to first consult with your eye doctor to decide if RGPs suit your lifestyle. Our optometry staff can assist you in ascertaining whether you’re a candidate for hard lenses.
Because an RGP is composed of inflexible material, it does a great job of retaining its shape when you blink, which tends to allow for sharper vision than the average soft lens. Additionally GPs are extremely strong. Although they can break if stepped on, they don’t easily rip like soft lenses. Further, since they consist of substances that don't contain water, proteins or lipids from your tears won't adhere to GPs as easily as they do to soft lenses. People that are extra fussy about quality of vision will probably choose GPs.
On the downside, RGPs need to be worn consistently to reach maximum comfort. Additionally, there are some who report “spectacle blur” with RGPs, which is when eyesight is blurry when the lenses are removed even while still wearing glasses. Although the effect is not permanent, it can demand full-time GP usage.
When thinking about GP lenses, make sure to first ask your optometrist to find out if you truly are a candidate. You never know…hard lenses could be the perfect match for you!