Opinions on RGP Contact Lenses

There many different opinions on RGP contact lenses and who can benefit the most from them; and this article will explain why.

First, it's important to “de-bunk” a popular myth about RGP contact lenses; they are not the same as the hard contact lenses of the past. While RGP lenses are, as indicated by their name, rigid and therefore not as pliable as soft contact lenses, they are made of a completely different material as the old-fashioned hard lenses.

Hard lenses were made of a material called PMMA, which did not allow any oxygen to reach the eye. This caused all kinds of problems and therefore hard lenses are basically obsolete.

RGP contact lenses, on the other hand, are made of a material that contains silicon.  Silicon allows plenty of oxygen to reach the eye; in fact, RGP lenses allow in more oxygen than most soft lenses.  RGP stands for “rigid gas permeable,” and are also known as “gas permeable” or “oxygen permeable” lenses; and it is because of this silicon material that they have the word “permeable” in their name. 

So why are there so many opposing opinions on RGP contact lenses?

On the other hand, one area in which the opinions on RGP contact lenses does not differ is the vision quality. Since RGPs are able to retain their shape, they do not shift around or lose their shape after many hours of wear or when you blink. This allows the lens to maintain crisp, clear vision that does not diminish as the day wears on; which can not be said of soft lenses. Then again, RGPs do take some getting used to. While soft lenses are comfortable the second you put them in, it takes time for the eye to adjust to RGPs. This also means that you need to wear them somewhat regularly, so that you're not constantly forcing your eyes to go through this adjustment period over and over again.

Back on the positive side, RGPs don't retain deposits, proteins, and lipids produced by your natural tears as soft contacts do. This means that, with proper contact lense care, your RGP lenses can last for a few years.

And, for many people, the different opinions on RGP contact lenses are irrelevant; because RGPs are their only option.  People with severe astigmatism will find that RGP contact lenses for astigmatism are the only lenses that will work with their astigmatism and allow them to see clearly.  Similarly, some people who need specific multifocal contact lenses will find that RGPs are the best contact lenses for them. 

As with anything, only you can decide what works for you.  If you think that the promise of crisp clear vision and longer wear might outweigh the other concerns of RGPs, then we suggest finding a supplier that offers a free trial sample.  Try them yourself, and see how it goes.  Then form your own opinions on RGP contact lenses and whether they are right for you!

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