Eye Conditions and Concerns, what is 20/20 Vision and the Importance of Regular Eye Exams

Gas Permeable Lenses - The Alternative to Soft Lenses

Although soft contacts are most often used, another less familiar type of contact lenses exists: gas permeable (GP) contact lenses, also referred to oxygen permeable lenses.

Actually, hard lenses involve newer technology than soft contacts, which last longer, offer finer vision quality, and offer enhanced deposit resistance. Further they may also be less expensive in the long term than soft lenses. Of course, its advised to first discuss with your eye doctor to determine if hard lenses fit your lifestyle. Our optometry staff can help you determine whether you'd be a fit for GP lenses.

Because an RGP is composed of stiff material, it does a great job of maintaining its shape when you blink, which tends to afford sharper vision than the average soft lens. Additionally GPs are especially durable. Though they will break if stepped on, they donÂ’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 will to soft lenses. Those of you who are especially fussy about quality of vision will probably choose GPs.

RGPs are also a good choice for contact wearers that have special considerations such as astigmatism, presbyopia or keratoconus, where soft lenses may not fit properly or offer enough variety. RGPs are also a better choice for contact users post refractive surgery.

If you are thinking about RGP lenses, make sure to first ask your eye care practitioner to find out if you truly are a suitable candidate. Who knows… hard lenses could be the right solution for you!