Are RGP Contact Lenses Right for You?

What Are Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Contact Lenses?

Rigid gas permeable contact lenses are custom-designed lenses made from breathable materials that allow oxygen to pass through to the cornea. Unlike the older “hard” lenses, today’s RGP lenses are flexible enough to support eye health while still maintaining their shape for crisp, stable vision.

While soft contact lenses cover the entire cornea and part of the sclera (the white of the eye), RGP lenses only cover the central cornea. Because of this design, RGP lenses often provide sharper vision and increased durability. They resist buildup from proteins and debris, making them easier to clean and longer lasting than most soft lenses.

RGPs are smaller in diameter than traditional soft lenses and are individually fitted for each patient. Their firm, stable shape gives consistently precise vision and can be especially beneficial for people with astigmatism, keratoconus, or presbyopia.

How Do RGP Lenses Work?

RGP lenses maintain a stable shape on the eye, creating a smooth optical surface that enhances clarity. The thin layer of tears between the lens and the cornea acts as a “liquid cushion,” filling in any surface irregularities. This combination—rigid optics and a uniform tear layer—can deliver sharper, higher-contrast vision compared to soft contact lenses, particularly for those with significant astigmatism or corneal irregularities.

Because RGPs are smaller than soft lenses, each blink allows fresh tears to flow underneath, helping remove debris and keeping the eyes healthy. While there is an initial adjustment period, most patients adapt quickly with the right fit, instruction, and cleaning routine. Once adapted, RGP lenses often provide clear, consistent vision and lasting comfort.

The Benefits of Oxygen Permeable Lenses

Rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses have advanced significantly from the hard PMMA lenses of the past. Modern RGPs are rigid enough to hold their shape, yet breathable and comfortable enough for everyday wear. Because they allow oxygen to pass through and maintain precise optics, RGPs provide consistently clear, reliable vision with the right care routine. Here are some of the key advantages:

1. Treating Keratoconus: Keratoconus causes the cornea to be dome-shaped, leading to vision problems. RGP contact lenses can flatten the cornea and restore normal vision. 

2. Best Choice for Astigmatism, Nearsightedness, and Farsightedness: RGP lenses can prove more effective than soft contacts for correcting myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism, and presbyopia (age-related vision changes). 

3. Custom-Made: RGP contact lenses are tailored to each eye. Your eye doctor measures your cornea before prescribing lenses with the size and correction that suits your specific needs. 

4. Daily Wear Not Required: While you have to wear your RGP lenses regularly to maintain them, you don’t have to wear them every day. Wearing them consistently helps improve your vision when you aren’t wearing them. 

5. Increased Comfort and Longevity: Because RGP lenses are less likely to accumulate proteins, most people find them more comfortable than other contacts. With proper care, they can also last a year or longer, saving you money in the long run. 

6. Best of Both Worlds: A hybrid contact lens is available that combines technology from RGP lenses and soft contacts. This is ideal for those who want the crisp vision of RGPs and the comfort or familiarity associated with soft contact lenses. 

7. Lower Overall Cost: Maintaining RGP lenses is actually less expensive than using and caring for soft contacts over a lifetime due to their longer service life and reliability. 

Special Use Cases for RGP Lenses

RGP lenses aren’t just for general vision correction; they can also address certain eye conditions or specialized visual needs.

Keratoconus and Irregular Corneas

When the cornea is uneven or cone-shaped, as with keratoconus, light scatters and vision becomes distorted. RGPs create a smooth front surface over a thin tear layer, helping focus light correctly. At EyeCare Associates, your fitting may include corneal mapping and trial lenses to ensure optimal comfort and sharpness. For advanced cases, your doctor may recommend scleral lenses that vault over the cornea for improved comfort and stability.

Moderate or High Astigmatism

Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or lens has an irregular curve, causing vision to blur or smear. RGP lenses maintain a stable shape, providing a consistent optical surface that keeps vision crisp throughout the day. Your provider will carefully measure your astigmatism and ensure the lenses center properly and move correctly with each blink.

Presbyopia and Multifocal Designs

If you’re finding it harder to read or see up close, multifocal RGPs can correct both near and distance vision in one lens. Your EyeCare Associates doctor will customize your lenses for your daily activities, such as computer work, reading, or driving. Some adaptation time is normal while your eyes and brain adjust, but most patients adapt quickly with follow-up fine-tuning.

Post-Surgical or Post-Injury Corneas

After procedures such as corneal transplants or LASIK, or when scarring affects the eye’s surface, RGPs can restore visual clarity by smoothing out irregularities. Scleral lenses may also be an option for added comfort and tear stability. Your doctor will evaluate your corneal health, healing status, and wearing schedule to achieve the best long-term results.

Orthokeratology, Nighttime Wear Only

Orthokeratology, or ortho-k, uses specially designed RGP lenses worn overnight to reshape the cornea temporarily. This allows clear daytime vision without glasses or contacts. Ortho-k can also help manage myopia progression in children and teens. Candidates undergo corneal topography and tear testing, followed by a detailed care and monitoring plan to ensure safety and success.  

Vision Demands for Work or Hobbies

Those who rely on precise visual detail—such as engineers, designers, or night drivers—often benefit from the optical sharpness of RGP lenses. Your EyeCare Associates provider will consider your environment, lighting, and visual demands to recommend the most suitable design. For dry or dusty conditions, scleral lenses may be ideal since their fluid layer enhances comfort while maintaining RGP-level clarity.