Who Should Wear Rigid Gas-Permeable Contact Lenses?

Contact lens technology has come a long way since the days of soft vs hard contact lenses. Eye conditions like astigmatism and nearsightedness can vary considerably from person to person so there’s a very real need for customized lens options. 

Rigid gas-permeable contact or RGP contacts offer a much-needed alternative for people who require more specialized lenses. Read on as a Hackensack, NJ optometrist discusses RGP lenses and reasons why you might want to consider wearing them.

What Makes Gas-Permeable Lenses Different?

Rigid gas-permeable contacts are made from a firm, oxygen-permeable material that offers many advantages over standard hard and soft lenses. RGP lenses allow more oxygen to reach the surface of the eye so your eyes can “breathe” better. The rigid design also allows them to hold their shape better, which helps keep them from moving around on the eye surface like soft contacts tend to do. 

Reasons to Consider Getting Gas-Permeable Contact Lenses

Provide a Better Overall Fit

Regular contact lenses come in standard sizes, which don’t always provide the right fit for people with irregularly-shaped corneas. When a lens doesn’t fit right, it’s prone to moving around on the eye’s surface, which is not only uncomfortable but can also affect vision quality. Rigid gas-permeable contact lenses are customized to the shape of your cornea to ensure they’re the correct fit.

To Keep Nearsightedness From Getting Worse

Children and teenagers who have myopia or nearsightedness remain at risk of the condition getting worse as their eyes continue to grow. Since RGP lenses hold the cornea in a fixed position, they can help slow the rate of myopia progression when worn on a regular basis. 

To Correct Astigmatism

Toric rigid gas-permeable lenses are the ideal choice for people with astigmatism. With astigmatism, the cornea has an oval-type shape, which makes it difficult to find standard contacts that fit. Since RGPs are made to fit your eyes, they not only offer a more comfortable fit but also better quality vision.

Resists Deposit Buildup

Anyone who’s worn soft contact lenses knows how quickly they can become filmy. Rigid gas-permeable lenses have smooth surface that doesn’t absorb or retain water. This feature greatly reduces the amount of deposit buildup that forms on the lenses.

Superior Vision Quality

Last but not least, RGP contact lenses offer superior vision quality compared to conventional soft and hard lenses. They don’t dry out or change shape. They have a smooth surface. They’re designed to stay in place on the eye. All of the features help improve vision quality. 

If you have more questions or wish to schedule a consultation, please don’t hesitate to call our Hackensack, NJ optometry office today!