While soft contact lenses are more common, another lesser-known type of contact lenses exists: gas permeable (GP) lenses, sometimes referred to oxygen permeable lenses.
In truth, RGP lenses are a newer technology than soft lenses, which last longer, allow finer vision quality, and provide increased resilience. Additionally GP lenses may also be cheaper in the long term than soft lenses. Of course, you need to first consult with your optometrist to determine if GPs suit your lifestyle. Our optometry practice can help you figure out if you'd be a fit for hard lenses.
Because an RGP is made of inflexible material, it retains its form well when you blink, which tends to allow for sharper vision than the typical soft lens. Additionally RGPs are extremely durable. Although they can break if stepped on, they don’t easily rip like soft lenses. Also, because they consist of substances that don't contain water, proteins and lipids from your tears won't stick to GPs as readily as they do to soft lenses. Those of you who are extra fussy about vision quality will probably opt for RGPs.
On the downside, RGPs need to be worn regularly in order to reach maximum comfort. Further, some people experience “spectacle blur” with hard lenses, which is when eyesight is blurry when contact lenses are removed even while still wearing glasses. Although the effect is only temporary, it can demand full-time GP wear.
If you're checking out hard lenses, be sure to first ask your eye doctor to ascertain if you truly are a suitable candidate. Who knows…hard lenses might be the right answer for you!
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