7 Reasons Why Your Optometrist Will Suggest Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses

Rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses are available as an alternative to soft lenses. RGP lenses are made from a firm, oxygen-permeable material and offer numerous advantages over regular soft contact lenses. It may sound as though “soft” would be the natural choice regarding something that’s going to make contact with your eye, but that’s not necessarily the case. If your optometrist has recommended RGP lenses, it’s likely for one (or more) of the following reasons.

 

1) RGP lenses are breathable

 

RGP lenses are oxygen-permeable, which means that they let air pass through, allowing your eyes to “breathe.” These lenses provide a superior oxygen supply because the materials they’re made of allow more oxygen through. Besides, they’re smaller than soft lenses and therefore cover less of the surface of the eye and because they move around on the eye more, allow moisture and oxygen to circulate underneath the lens.

 

2) RGP lenses are personalized

 

This type of contact lens is customized to the shape of your cornea, allowing for a wider range of vision correction and a better overall fit. If you can’t wear regular contact lenses because, for example, your cornea is shaped irregularly, custom-made RGP lenses may be the solution to your problems. These personalized lenses are created specifically for your eyes, so a perfect fit is ensured.

 

3) RGP lenses offer superior vision quality

 

RGP lenses can provide sharper vision correction than soft lenses for a few different reasons. First of all, they won’t dry out and fluctuate in shape the way soft lenses can. Gas permeable lenses are custom-made to have a smooth surface and hold their shape on the eye. They also move on the eye with each blink, which allows tears to circulate underneath. In contrast, soft contact lenses conform to the shape of the cornea, move around very little, and can dehydrate.

 

4) RGP lenses resist deposit buildup

 

Because RGP lenses have a smooth surface and don’t absorb or retain water, deposit buildup is less of a problem. This also means that they won’t attract and breed bacteria that can lead to eye infections. They’re also easy to clean and disinfect. All these benefits make RGP lenses cleaner, healthier, and safer – not to mention, they’ll last longer than other types of contact lenses.

 

5) RGP lenses may slow the progression of myopia

 

It appears that reverse geometry corneal reshaping RGP lenses may not only help correct your vision now but also slow the progression of myopia over time. That’s especially important for kids, who depend so fully on their vision for learning, and whose myopia may still be able to be slowed down or halted. These RGPs are used in orthokeratology, a treatment in which the patient wears lenses overnight to correct vision by reshaping the cornea.

Related Post: Nearsighted or Farsighted? Myopia and Hyperopia Explained

6) RGP lenses are ideal for people with astigmatism

 

If you have been told that you can’t wear soft contact lenses because your astigmatism is too high, there’s good news: RGP lenses may work great for you. The range of parameters available in RGP lenses is a lot greater than most soft lenses on the market. Many individuals with very high astigmatism are relieved to discover RGP lenses and find that they can wear them comfortably for clear vision that lasts all day.

 

7) RGP lenses are cost-effective

 

In addition to their other advantages, RGP lenses can save you money in the long run. That’s because these lenses may last longer than other lenses, reducing the frequency with which you need to buy replacements. Because RGP lenses are rigid, you don’t have to worry about tearing them; they are also easier to keep clean longer. One pair of RGP lenses can last a year or longer with proper care.