Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lenses

Rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses are made of a rigid material that allows oxygen to pass through the lenses, which provides the wearer with a higher level of comfortable and promotes better eye health. Since RGP lens allow sufficient oxygen to reach the eyes, they are often referred to as oxygen permeable lenses.

While gas permeable lenses are rigid, they are not the same type of lenses that are referred to as “hard contacts.” Gas permeable lenses were developed by a new technology in the 1970’s, and are actually newer to the market than soft lenses.

Advantages of RGP Lens

• Allow sufficient oxygen to reach the eye during wear.
• Provide crisper vision.
• Durability allows them to last for years.
• Do not tear easily.
• Do not contain water are deposit resistant and easier to clean.

The many advantages of rigid gas permeable lenses benefit those with astigmatism, presbyopia, and keratoconus by providing better vision correction. Additionally, patients who need to wear contacts after refractive surgery have better results when rigid gas permeable lenses are worn. Some wearers even consider RGP lens a great alternative to LASIK surgery since they offer such clear vision and comfort.

Disadvantages of RGP Lens

• Are not instantly comfortable to wear require an adaption period.
• Must be worn regularly to achieve maximum comfort.
• Vision may be blurred when lenses are removed, even when eyeglasses are worn.

Your eye care practitioner may recommend a single bottle multi-purpose solution for cleaning, disinfecting and storing your rigid gas permeable lens or a combination of a solution for storage and disinfection with a separate cleaning solution. For more information about the lens care products that you can use with your RGP lens, take a look at Commonly Used Contact Lens Care Products. Please keep in mind that although it may have been recommended and FDA approved in the past to rinse RGP lens with tap water, eye care professionals no longer endorse this practice due to the many infection causing microorganisms found in tap water.

While RGP lens may take some time to get use to, the benefits that they offer far outweigh the few disadvantages. Once they have switched to gas permeable lenses, most wearers cannot imagine going back to soft lenses again.

If you already have your GP lens prescription and are ready to place an order, visit the Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lenses page. To more about other types of contacts, read Contact Lens Types.