Gas Permeable Contacts

Gas permeable (GP) or rigid gas Permeable (RGP) contact lenses are made of a material that allows the passage of oxygen through the lens to your cornea and the front surface of the eye. This essentially allows your eyes to “breathe” better, thereby increasing comfort, health, and safety during contact lens wear. GP and RGP lenses offer an alternative to soft contact lenses, which are made from a hard, oxygen-permeable material. 

While this type of lens is slightly less popular, it offers a number of advantages and are continuing to improve as research and technology advance.

Benefits of GP and RGP Lenses

Due to the strong material and enhanced ability to diffuse oxygen, GP lenses offer a number of benefits to the wearer. These include, but are not limited to:

• Health and Hygiene – GPs don’t contain water which makes them less likely to attract and breed bacteria
• Durability – GP lenses won’t tear and tend to last longer than soft lenses
• Maintenance – GP lenses are easy to clean and disinfect
• Comfort – GP contact lenses are custom made for each patient based on the eye’s individual curvature, size and corneal shape. Furthermore, their ability to transmit oxygen reduces eye problems such as dry eyes.
• Better Vision – GPs have a smooth surface and maintain their shape, moving along with the eye to hold their place. This provides sharp and stable vision.
• Cost Savings – Because they last so long, GPs are much more cost effective than soft lenses

GP Lenses for Astigmatism

GP and RGP lenses are ideal for individuals with astigmatism and those that may have been told that they cannot wear soft contacts. Because of the rigid nature of the lens, they retain their shape and fit custom on the eye. This allows for more clear and stable vision correction.

GP Lenses for Myopia Control and Ortho-K

Research has indicated that gas permeable lenses may be effective in slowing the progression or worsening of myopia or nearsightedness, particularly in children. GP lenses are also frequently used in Orthokeratology (ortho-k), a corrective procedure in which you wear lenses at night to reshape your cornea for improved vision during the day.

To learn more, or to schedule an exam to find out whether GP or RGP lenses would be right for you, get in touch. The Davich Optical team is here to help!