Problems With Gas-Permeable Contact Lenses

Gas-permeable lenses are also known as rigid gas-permeable contact lenses, or RGP lenses. While not as popular as soft contact lenses, they are worn and even preferred by wearers. Since they are smaller than soft contact lenses, they fit more securely on the eye, providing some people with improved vision. Despite their advantages, though, there are several common problems associated with this type of contact lenses.

Adjustment Period

• One advantage of soft contact lenses is that they are usually comfortable for wearers right away and do not require an adjustment period. Because they are made of harder materials, such as silicone, gas-permeable (GP) contact lenses require an adjustment period and regular wear in order to become and remain comfortable.

Vision Distortion

• Some GP contact-lens wearers experience temporary vision distortion when they remove their lenses, even when they are wearing prescription glasses. This can result in having to wear GP lenses as the sole source of vision correction, which can be an unrealistic or undesired solution for some people.

Lens Shifting

• Since they are smaller than soft contact lenses, GP lenses are more prone to shifting or slipping out of place during wear. Keeping your lenses clean and hydrated is a good way to prevent this problem.