Rigid Gas-Permeable (RGP) Lenses
First things first: RGP lenses are NOT the old "hard" lenses of the past. RGP lenses are much better for oxygen transmission to the cornea, the front surface of the eye, than the old-style lenses. RGP lenses are often used to help control myopia (nearsightedness) in younger children. They tend to fit people with keratoconus and other irregular corneal shapes/features better than soft lenses. RGP lenses are a popular option for bifocal wearers.
Wearing and Maintenance
Compared to soft contact initiation, patients trying RGP's for the first time will go through an initial adaptation period as the eye needs to get used to having "something on it". Once adapted to the lens, however, wearers often appreciate the enhanced clarity in vision over that provided by their glasses, and often in comparison with many soft lenses.
RGP lenses last much longer than soft lenses, needing replacement typically every 1 to 3 years. They require no additional daily maintenance when compared with soft lenses.
It's All in the Details
There are many, many different types of RGP's available to you depending on your requirements, the depth and breadth of which is too much to cover in this page. We have provided several links to very informative pages at right that will help you better understand RGP lenses and what to expect from wearing them.
View of an RGP lens on an eye. Note how small it is compared with a soft contact lens, which would extend beyond the iris (the colored portion).
Great in-depth information about RGP Lenses.
Our RGP lens maker of choice.
Rigid Gas-Permeable (RGP) Lenses
First things first: RGP lenses are NOT the old "hard" lenses of the past. RGP lenses are much better for oxygen transmission to the cornea, the front surface of the eye, than the old-style lenses. RGP lenses are often used to help control myopia (nearsightedness) in younger children. They tend to fit people with keratoconus and other irregular corneal shapes/features better than soft lenses. RGP lenses are a popular option for bifocal wearers.
Wearing and Maintenance
Compared to soft contact initiation, patients trying RGP's for the first time will go through an initial adaptation period as the eye needs to get used to having "something on it". Once adapted to the lens, however, wearers often appreciate the enhanced clarity in vision over that provided by their glasses, and often in comparison with many soft lenses.
RGP lenses last much longer than soft lenses, needing replacement typically every 1 to 3 years. They require no additional daily maintenance when compared with soft lenses.
It's All in the Details
There are many, many different types of RGP's available to you depending on your requirements, the depth and breadth of which is too much to cover in this page. We have provided several links to very informative pages at right that will help you better understand RGP lenses and what to expect from wearing them.
View of an RGP lens on an eye. Note how small it is compared with a soft contact lens, which would extend beyond the iris (the colored portion).
Great in-depth information about RGP Lenses.
Our RGP lens maker of choice.