While soft contact lenses are most often used, another less familiar brand of contact lens materials exists: gas permeable (GP) lenses, sometimes known as oxygen permeable lenses.
In reality, RGP lenses are a newer technology than soft lenses, and they last longer, can be more successful in improving eyesight, and provide better durability and deposit resistance. Additionally RGP lenses may also be less expensive in the long run than soft lenses. Of course, its advised to first discuss with an eye care practitioner to determine whether hard lenses suit your lifestyle. Our optometry office can help you figure out whether you’re a candidate for RGP lenses.
Because a GP is constructed from inflexible material, it does a good job of maintaining its form when you blink, which tends to provide clearer vision than the average soft lens. Furthermore RGPs are especially durable. Although they will break if stepped on, they don’t easily rip like soft lenses. Further, because they consist of materials that don't include water, proteins and lipids from your tears don’t stick to RGPs as easily as they do to soft lenses. People that are especially fussy about vision quality will most likely opt for RGPs.
One of the inconveniences of RGPs is that they must be worn regularly to reach optimum comfort. Further, some people report “spectacle blur” with hard lenses, which is when vision is unclear when contact lenses are removed even while wearing glasses. While the effect is not permanent, it can require constant GP usage.
When checking out GP lenses, make sure to first ask your eye doctor to verify if you really are a suitable candidate. You never know…hard lenses could be the perfect answer for you!
