The vast majority of contact lens wearers use soft, flexible contacts that must be replaced on a regular schedule: daily, every two weeks, or monthly. They’re a convenient choice, but they’re not the only option when it comes to contact lenses. If you crave sharper vision and wish your contacts were more durable and breathable, ask your eye doctor about gas-permeable contact lenses. Below, we’ll explore their advantages, limitations, and more.
What Are Gas-Permeable Contact Lenses?
Constructed of durable plastic materials that allow oxygen to pass through, gas-permeable contacts (also known as GP or RGP contacts) are rigid contact lenses — but don’t worry; they’re not the same thing as old-fashioned hard contacts, which are essentially obsolete these days. Modern gas-permeable contacts actually allow more oxygen to reach the cornea than most soft contacts. Although it often takes new wearers a little time to get used to them, there are lots of things to love about gas-permeable contacts.
The Benefits of Gas-Permeable Contacts
Why might someone prefer gas-permeable contacts over soft lenses?
- They provide sharper vision. Because they retain their shape even when you blink, they offer sharper vision than soft contacts. People with astigmatism sometimes prefer gas-permeable contacts for this reason.
- They’re extremely durable. Unlike fragile soft contacts, which can easily be ripped or torn, gas-permeable contacts are strong and can’t easily be damaged. That doesn’t mean you can neglect their maintenance, but it does mean they’re reliable.
- They’re less prone to build-up. They don’t contain water, so they’re less likely to attract organic materials like proteins and lipids. If you’re often frustrated by protein build-up on your soft contacts, you might enjoy gas-permeable contacts.
- They allow your eyes to “breathe” better. More oxygen is able to reach the surface of the eye, which reduces the risk of eye problems caused by a lack of hypoxia, i.e., a deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissue.
- They’re long-lasting. Soft contacts must be regularly replaced to protect your eye health. Gas-permeable contacts, on the other hand, can last for years with proper care. That’s assuming your prescription doesn’t change, of course.
- They work with a wide range of eye conditions. Gas-permeable contacts can work well for people with astigmatism, presbyopia, keratoconus, and more.
The Downsides of Gas-Permeable Contacts
Not everyone enjoys gas-permeable contact lenses. What are their limitations?
- They require an adjustment period. Although experienced wearers find them very comfortable, gas-permeable contacts take a little time to get used to, unlike soft contacts, which many people find instantly comfortable.
- They should be worn regularly. It’s important to wear gas-permeable contacts regularly to achieve peak comfort; if you forgo wearing them for a while, you’ll likely need a little time to get used to them again.
- They’re more likely to shift or become dislodged. Because they’re smaller than soft contacts, so they’re more prone to moving around during sports and other activities. Avoid rubbing your eyes if you wear gas-permeable lenses.
- There’s a higher risk of dust or debris getting under the lens. This is due to the fact that gas-permeable lenses are designed to move each time you blink. If dust or debris do find their way under your contact, you may experience discomfort. In some cases, this can result in a corneal abrasion. To minimize your risk on windy days, wear sunglasses when outdoors.
- They have a higher replacement cost. If you were to lose or break your gas-permeable lenses, the cost to replace them would be quite high because they’re custom-made to fit the shapes of your unique eyes. In addition, it can take a little time to order a replacement pair. You may wish to purchase a spare set for emergencies.
Gas-permeable contacts are typically only prescribed to patients with certain conditions or concerns, but that doesn’t mean you can’t ask your eye doctor if they would be a good fit for you.
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Are you interested in gas-permeable contact lenses? To learn if they make sense for your vision needs, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with an eye care professional.
If you live near southwest Missouri, contact Heffington’s. Since 1975, the Heffington family has been assisting the Springfield community with top-quality eye care and affordable eyeglasses and contacts. One of the unique features of our family-owned business is that we manufacture lenses at our own laboratory, giving us total control over the service and pricing, and we’re happy to pass our savings on to you. To learn more about our products and services, please get in touch with us online, send an email to [email protected], or give us a call at 417-869-3937 (Optiland location) or 417-882-3937 (House of Vision location). We look forward to hearing from you!