The Facts about Gas Permeable Lenses

What is a gas permeable lens?

Gas permeable contact lenses are small, curved pieces of durable plastic that float on the tear film in front of the eye's cornea, much like soft contact lenses. The big difference between gas permeable lenses and soft contact lenses is that gas permeable lenses are made from more durable plastic and typically allow for more oxygen to pass through to the eye during contact lens wear. Gas permeable contact lenses are more versatile than soft contacts in treating irregular corneas and are better suited than soft contacts for use as a bifocal.

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GP Lenses are more durable

The durability of GP contact lenses also make them better lenses than soft ones. They are less susceptible to damage than other types of lenses and last about a year before they have to be replaced.

Gas Permeable Lenses help keep eyes moist

GP lenses don't absorb the eye's natural tear solution, thereby helping to keep eyes moist during contact lens wear.

Gas Permeable Lenses ‘breathe' better than soft contacts

Because of high oxygen permeability, GP lenses are less prone to bacteria that beset soft contact lense wearers.

GP Lenses are less expensive because they last longer

Because Rigid Gas Permeable lenses are sturdier and last longer, the cost per day of wear time is less expensive than with soft contacts, which are not as durable, and will tear or wear out faster.

Gas Permeable Lenses offer better vision

Because GP lenses are more durable than soft contact lenses they hold their shape better when resting on the eye, resulting in better visual acuity and fewer vision fluctuations, as when soft contact lenses tend to move around the eye more.

GP Lenses offer more choices for wearers of contact lens bifocals

The durability of Gas Permeable lenses allow for a wider variety of bifocal features and offer more choices to bifocal wearers than do conventional soft contact lenses. Many bifocal and multifocal wearers find that gas permeable bifocal contacts offer a better combination of near and far vision.

Gas Permeable Lenses are generally healthier for eyes

GP lens design makes the lenses more resistant to bacteria than do standard soft contacts. They allow more oxygen to reach the eye, and they are more resistant to absorbing foreign elements like soaps and perfumes that can be harmful or irritating to your eyes.

GP Lenses are ideal for treating "keratoconus" or cone-shaped cornea

The durable structure of gas permeable contact lenses is superior to the majority of soft contact lenses when custom- fit to unusually shaped corneas.

GP Lenses have a longer adjustment period

Because GP lenses are more durable, the eye must adjust at first to their shape, as opposed to soft contact lenses that mold to the shape of the eye. You may also experience a longer re-adjustment period with gas permeable lenses if you stop wearing them for any length of time then start again.

Gas Permeable Lenses need to be cleaned and maintained

Although longer lasting contact lenses tend to be less expensive over time, GP lenses are good for up to a year and must be removed and cleaned regularly.

Talk to a yourlens.com eye care professional for more information on the pros and cons of wearing gas permeable contact lenses and if GP Lenses are right for you.