Advantages & Disadvantages of Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lenses

Contact lenses, a common solution to visual acuity problems, allow wearers to have perfect vision without wearing glasses. There are two main types of lenses: rigid gas permeable lenses and soft contact lenses. Both types of lenses have several significant advantages and disadvantages that are important to consider when deciding which type to wear.

Durability

• One of the biggest advantages of rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses is that they are more durable than soft contacts. A pair of RGP lenses can last for several months or even years while soft contact lenses must usually be replaced after a month, and some types need to be replaced more frequently. RGP lenses are less likely to tear than soft contacts, meaning that there is less likelihood of having to replace them due to accidental damage.

Lens Care

• According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), RGP lens are easy to care for. Soft contact lenses require careful storing in containers and washing with saline solution, while RGP lenses are more resistant to damage while cleaning.

Eye Comfort

• One of the disadvantages of RGP contact lenses is that they can feel uncomfortable in the eyes, especially initially. Soft contact lenses may feel comfortable the first time you wear them, but RGP lenses typically take some time to adjust to before they feel comfortable. Once the eyes adjust they can be just as comfortable as soft contact lens, although if you stop using them for a while and then start again you may experience discomfort as you readjust to using them.

Lens Slippage

• According to the Mayo Clinic, RPG lenses may be more prone to slipping off the center of the eye then soft contact lenses. When a lens slips off the eye, it can cause irritation and discomfort and may be difficult to get back out without help from another person to locate the lens in the eye.

Losing Lenses

• Since RGP contacts are made to last longer than soft contacts, losing an RGP lens is typically more costly than losing a soft contact. For instance many soft contact wearers have daily disposable lenses where each pair of lenses costs less than a dollar, so losing a single lens is not of great concern. Losing an RGP lens can be especially troublesome if the wearer doesn't have any extra lenses on hand. Over the long term, if you do not lose your lenses and are able to care for them properly, RGP lenses can cost less than soft contacts.