4 Key Differences Between Scleral Lenses and Corneal Gas Permeable Lenses (RGP)
Choosing to wear contact lenses may give you the freedom to correct your vision as an alternative to spectacles. Sometimes, they may provide superior vision to spectacles, especially if you have an eye condition that doesn’t allow you to see well with spectacles. But did you know that there were various contact lens options? Here is what you need to know about the differences between scleral lenses and corneal gas permeable lenses (RGP).
How Scleral Lenses and Corneal Gas Permeable Lenses Differ
There are a few reasons why your eye care practitioner may recommend scleral lenses or corneal RGP lenses. Below are the main differences between them:
- Resting on the cornea
Scleral lenses are larger in diameter than RGP lenses and do not touch the cornea; they vault over it. This allows to bypass severe corneal irregularities. Many clients can’t wear RGPs because of these concerns, but unlike the RGP lenses, scleral lenses rest on the white part of the eye and don’t irritate the cornea.
- Less movement
Playing sports or moving your eyes around too quickly can cause your RGP lenses to move on your eye and sometimes even fall out. RGP lenses are smaller and will move across the eye sometimes causing a foreign body sensation. The scleral lens is bigger, and it creates a dome over the entire cornea, meaning it won’t move that easily, provides stable vision and is more comfortable to wear.
- Fitting process
You can imagine that fitting a dome over your eye needs to be done with high precision for the best, most comfortable fit and to keep the dome of liquid sealed over your eye. The fitting process of scleral lenses and RGP lense are time consuming because every person’s eye shape is different.
- Moisture retaining
If you suffer from dry eyes or related cornea conditions, the dome created by scleral lenses not only protects your eyes better but will provide constant hydration and relief from discomfort due to dry eyes and/or ocular surface disease.
Added Benefits of Scleral Lenses
There are several benefits of scleral lenses. These lenses not only protect and hydrate your eyes, but they also help them heal after corneal surgery or trauma and erosions.
Other than being ideal for many sports, scleral lenses also care for your eyes while you work. An office job usually means dry, red eyes due to eye strain and light sensitivity to electronic devices. However, with a pair of scleral lenses for dry eyes, your eyes will be more comfortable and not be affected as much by the effects digital eye strain.
Advanced Technology
To make your scleral lenses, we use the sMap3D scanning and EyePrintPRO impression technologies. The 3D printing and scanning technology creates an ideal fit over your eye. We now have 3D digital models of your eye and can make the lenses for a custom fit to optimize vision and corneal health.
Book an appointment at our Weston Contact Lens Institute so we can discuss the differences between scleral lenses and RGP lenses.
Testimonial from Josef, Satisfied Scleral Lens Patient
First day here has been great! Really friendly staff and the doctors here guided me through everything I needed to know about my current RGP and future scleral lens. Very happy I was recommended here!