Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) or Gas Permeable (GP) contact lenses are an alternative to soft contact lenses and are made from a hard, oxygen-permeable material. GP lenses are currently less popular than soft lenses but offer several advantages and continue to improve as research and technology advance.

GP contacts are made of a firm plastic material that allows oxygen to pass through the lens to your cornea and the front surface of your eye—essentially allowing your eye to “breathe.” This increases comfort, health, and safety during contact lens wear.

Benefits of GP or RGP Contact Lenses

Because of their durable material and ability to allow oxygen diffusion, GP lenses offer several advantages over soft contact lenses.

Health and Hygiene Benefits

Unlike soft lenses, GP lenses don’t contain water, making them less likely to attract and harbor bacteria that can cause eye infections. Additionally, protein deposits won’t build up on the lenses, keeping them cleaner and healthier.

Because they are made with a strong, durable material, GP lenses are resistant to tearing and are easy to clean and disinfect. RGPs maintain their firm shape and do not dehydrate. Furthermore, GP lenses last longer than soft lenses—with proper care, a pair can last a year or more.

Comfort

GP contact lenses are custom-made for each patient based on the eye’s unique curvature, size, and corneal shape. Their ability to transmit oxygen reduces eye problems, such as dry eyes caused by reduced oxygen, which are common with many brands of soft lenses or hard (non-GP) lenses.

GP lenses have a smaller diameter than soft contacts, meaning they cover less of the eye’s surface. While this may take some time to get used to initially, many people ultimately find them just as comfortable, if not more so, than soft contacts.

Better Vision

Due to their rigid material, GP lenses have a smooth surface and maintain their shape, moving with the eye to stay in place. This provides sharp and stable vision. Additionally, they do not dehydrate, a common cause of reduced vision with other lenses.

Cost

Because they last so long, GP lenses are much more cost-effective than soft lenses, especially disposable lenses that require constant replacement. Since they are made to order, there is an initial investment, and it may take up to a week to manufacture a replacement pair if needed.

GPs for Astigmatism

GP lenses are ideal for individuals with astigmatism who may have been told they cannot wear soft contacts. Due to the rigid nature of the lens, they hold their shape on the eye, allowing for clearer and more stable vision correction.

Adapting to GP lenses

One downside of GP contact lenses is that they require an adaptation period, especially if you’re used to larger-diameter soft lenses. A major difference is the experience of “lens awareness,” where you may feel the edge of the lens when you blink. It can take up to a few weeks to adjust to the lenses, but many people report that after this initial period, they find GP lenses just as comfortable—if not more so—than soft lens varieties.

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