Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) a.k.a Hard Lenses
Soft contact lenses | Rigid gas permeable or RGP (otherwise known as hard lenses) | Piggyback lenses
Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) contact lenses are made of durable plastics that allow oxygen to pass through these lenses. RGPs do not contain water. As such, they offer better eye health in certain circumstances compared to soft contact lenses as they are less likely to collect deposits and contain bacteria. If a RGP is well-maintained, they can last for 2 to 3 years.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Better quality of vision | More easily dislodged |
| More durable | Longer adaptation period required |
| Causes less dry eye | Less initial comfort compared to soft lenses |
| Easier to handle and clean | Needs to be worn frequently as re-adaptation is required if not worn for an extended period of time |
RGPs are beneficial for people who have:
- Astigmatism, especially in high degrees
- Keratoconus
RGPs provide sharper, crisper vision than soft contact lenses as they mask an uneven cornea.