RGP Bifocal Contact Lenses
If you need bifocals and thought you could never wear contacts, RGP bifocal contact lenses might be the answer you're looking for!
Although bifocal contact lenses have been on the market for many years, only recently have they become more mainstream. As a matter of fact, a large percentage of people who wear bifocal glasses are not aware that bifocal contact lenses exist.
These days, technology has improved so much that not only are there bifocal contact lenses, but you have a variety of options to choose from. There are colored bifocal contact lenses if you want to change the color of your eyes; or tinted lenses for easier manageability. There are daily disposable contact lenses or monthly replaceable lenses; as well as lenses for dry eyes and lenses with UV protection.
With all of these choices, it can be a bit overwhelming when you first start out to research which are the best contact lenses for you. One of the most important decisions you need to make is whether you want soft bifocal lenses or RGP bifocal contact lenses. While it may seem, at first glance, that the obvious choice is soft lenses, many people prefer RGP over soft; and many people with severe presbyopia or other eye conditions have no choice but to get RGP bifocal contact lenses.
First of all, it helps to understand what RGP contact lenses are, and what they are not. “RPG” stands for “rigid gas permeable;” these same lenses are also often referred to as “gas permeable” or “oxygen permeable.”
A common myth of RGPs is that they are the same as the old-fashioned hard contact lenses that, deservedly had a very bad reputation. The hard lenses from days of old were made of a plastic material called PMMA. This material was much more rigid and did not allow oxygen to reach the cornea, so they eye could not breathe. This caused all kinds of problems and discomfort; and therefore hard contacts are all but obsolete. RGP bifocal contact lenses, on the other hand, are made of a material that contains silicon; this silicon is what allows oxygen to reach the eye. RGPs actually allow more oxygen to the eye than many soft contact lenses, which is a desirable benefit for many people.
So why are there so many opposing opinions on RGP contact lenses? First and foremost, is the level of comfort. While some people find the rigidity of the lens to be uncomfortable, other people find that RGPs can be worn much more comfortably for much longer stretches of time than soft lenses. RGPs do take some time to get used to, and also need to be worn pretty consistently.
Another important factor is the clarity of vision. After all, the entire purpose of wearing contact lenses is to be able to see. And RGP lenses are unarguably among the best lenses for crisp, clear vision. For many people, the clarity and impeccable vision is reason enough to wear RGP lenses.
Picking the right contact lens is important, and worth the time it takes to research. If crisp vision, longer wear, and durability are important to you, then you should definitely consider trying out a pair of RGP bifocal contact lenses. Your vision is worth it!
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