Gas Permeable Contact Lenses (RGP or GP)

If your soft contact lenses leave your vision blurry or your eyes feeling dry by day’s end, rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses might be the solution you're seeking.

If your soft contact lenses leave your vision blurry or your eyes feeling dry by day’s end, rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses might be the solution you're seeking.

Unlike soft lenses, modern RGP lenses maintain clarity and comfort throughout the day. This guide helps you understand how these lenses could offer better vision and improved eye health.

How Do RGP Lenses Work?

Rigid lenses use advanced materials called silicone acrylate and fluoro-silicone acrylate. These let significantly more oxygen reach your cornea compared to traditional soft lenses, helping to prevent common issues like corneal swelling and irritation.

Unlike larger soft lenses, RGP lenses are smaller and sit directly on your tear film, moving slightly with each blink. This movement creates a "tear-pump" effect, continuously refreshing tears beneath the lens to keep your eyes healthy and lubricated. 

RGP lenses also do not cover your eye's sensitive limbal area, minimizing potential irritation and long-term damage.

What are the Benefits of RGP Lenses?

Many are familiar with soft contact lenses, but RGP lenses offer an alternative for achieving clear vision. Their benefits include:

• Exceptional optical clarity. The firm material of RGP lenses maintains a consistent shape on the cornea, leading to sharp, clear vision.
• Correction of corneal imperfections. The tear film that forms between the lens and the cornea smooths out irregularities on the corneal surface, effectively neutralizing astigmatism.
• All-day visual stability. Unlike soft lenses that can dry out and change shape, RGP lenses provide stable and consistent vision quality throughout the day, preventing midday blurriness and distortion.
• Improved vision in challenging conditions. RGP lenses enhance visual performance in low-light situations, such as driving at night, by correcting higher-order aberrations and improving contrast sensitivity.
• Ideal for irregular corneas. These lenses are particularly beneficial for individuals with conditions like keratoconus, as they create a smooth, new refractive surface over the irregular cornea.

Is it Hard to Adjust to RGP Lenses?

Adapting to RGP lenses might seem challenging initially, but most wearers experience significant improvements in comfort within two to four weeks of consistent wear.

Modern designs with ultra-thin edges and a "lid-attachment" fit help ease lens awareness by reducing friction against your upper eyelid.

Here are proven tips to enhance comfort during the adaptation period:

• Patient education. Understanding that initial discomfort is temporary makes the adaptation easier. Your eye care professional can set clear expectations to reassure you during the break-in period.
• Gradual wear schedule. Start wearing RGP lenses for only a few hours each day, gradually increasing wear time to give your eyes and eyelids time to adjust comfortably.
• Rewetting drops. Using recommended lubricating drops can significantly reduce lens awareness and keep your eyes comfortable throughout the day.
• Hydra-PEG coatings. Consider lenses with special surface coatings like Hydra-PEG, which improve wettability and reduce lens friction, enhancing immediate comfort.

By following these strategies, you’ll quickly find your RGP lenses becoming comfortable companions for clearer vision.

How to Care for RGP Lenses

Caring for your RGP lenses is straightforward once you establish a daily routine. While slightly different from caring for soft lenses, proper handling keeps your lenses clean, clear, and comfortable:

• Daily cleaning. Use specific lens care products recommended by your eye care professional. After removal, gently rub each lens with an RGP-approved cleaner to remove deposits, then rinse thoroughly with saline solution—not tap water—to reduce the risk of eye infection.
• Deposit resistance. Unlike soft lenses, RGP lenses don’t absorb proteins and oils from tears as easily. However, occasional deep cleaning with enzymatic or intensive solutions ensures your lenses remain crystal clear.
• Case hygiene. Always store lenses in a clean case filled with fresh solution. Regularly clean the case and replace it every one to three months to prevent microbial growth.
• Easy insertion and removal. Insert lenses directly onto your cornea using a fingertip, ensuring a wet lens surface. For removal, use the blink method—simply pull gently on the outer corner of your eyelid and blink the lens out into your palm or onto a soft surface.

Who Benefits the Most from RGP Lenses?

Rigid gas-permeable lenses aren’t just for anyone. They offer particular advantages for specific vision needs and lifestyles:

• Astigmatism and keratoconus. The rigid shape of RGP lenses compensates exceptionally well for irregular corneas, delivering clear, stable vision far surpassing soft lenses.
• High visual-demand jobs. If your work requires detailed visual tasks, like graphic design, photography, or precision engineering, the consistently sharp vision provided by RGP lenses can significantly enhance your daily productivity and quality of life.
• Long-term cost-conscious wearers. Though initially pricier, RGP lenses can be more cost-effective over several years due to their longer lifespan and reduced frequency of replacement.

RGP lenses might be less suitable if you require only occasional lens wear, participate frequently in contact sports, or work in dusty environments. Discussing your lifestyle thoroughly with your eye care professional ensures the best lens choice for your eyes.

Is It Worth Investing in RGP Lenses?

Rigid gas permeable lenses involve higher upfront costs compared to soft lenses, but their durability makes them financially attractive long-term.

Here's a simplified two-year cost comparison to illustrate potential savings:

Lens Type	Initial Year Cost	Second Year Cost	Total over 2 Years
Monthly Soft Lenses	$360	$335	$695
Daily Disposable Lenses	$820	$795	$1615
RGP Lenses	$630	$180	$810

Insurance may cover RGP lenses as medically necessary for specific conditions like keratoconus, further offsetting costs.

To help decide if RGP lenses are a wise choice, ask yourself:

• Do I need consistently sharper vision?
• Am I prepared for an adaptation period?
• Do I prefer investing once rather than recurring lens purchases?

Answering these questions can clarify whether RGP lenses suit your needs and budget.

Reach out to your eye care professional for a personalized consultation, or visit VisionCenter.org to find a qualified practitioner near you.

For further information, you can also explore resources from professional groups like the American Optometric Association (AOA).