Hard Lenses
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Hard
Contact Lenses
The first mass produced contact lenses were made from a
rigid material called PMMA. The stiff material was able to effectively correct
vision problems, but it was uncomfortable to wear and did not allow oxygen to
pass through the lens to the eye. Without a healthy supply of oxygen, PMMA lens
wearers often suffered from swollen corneas that resulted in clouded vision and
painful scratching. To combat these negative side effects, researchers created
rigid gas-permeable lenses (RGP), also known as oxygen permeable lenses. RGP
lenses provide the durability and crisp vision of a rigid lens, while still
allowing plenty of oxygen to pass through and nourish the eye. With the advent
of soft contact lenses and RGP lenses, few people wear PMMA lenses
anymore.
The
Benefits of Rigid Contact Lenses
While many contact lens wearers report the highest
comfort levels from soft contacts, RGP lenses offer a host of benefits that
make them a more suitable choice for some people.
- Durability.
Rigid lenses are notoriously durable, which means
they are long-lasting and can save you money in the long run. Although
they can break if you step on them, they aren’t susceptible to the same
kinds of tears that can occur frequently with softer water-based contact
lenses.
- Resist
buildup and deposits. Soft contact lenses are made
partly from water, so it’s easier for them to pick up protein deposits and
buildups from your tears. Unlike soft lenses, RGP lenses are not made from
a water-based material. This means that they resist protein and lipid
buildups, making them easier to clean and wear.
- Clear,
sharp vision. Because RGP lenses are rigid, they do
a good job of maintaining their shape – even when you are blinking. A
rigid lens allows for clear, crisp, and consistently sharp vision at all
times. However, because RGP lenses do not mold to your eye, they can be
uncomfortable at first. Once your eye adapts to the shape of the lens, you
can enjoy long-term comfort as long as they are worn on a consistent
basis.
How
Long Does It Take To Get Used to Hard Contact Lenses?
One of the main reasons that so many people choose soft
over RGP lenses is because of the initial period of discomfort associated with
hard contacts. Soft lenses are pliable, water-based lenses that can mold to your
eye instantly. RGP lenses, on the other hand, do not share this characteristic
flexibility. When they are first worn, you may experience a slight annoyance
similar to having an eyelash caught in your eye. As time passes, your eye gets
used to the sensation of the RGP lens and discomfort disappears entirely.
The amount of time it takes to get used to the RGP lens
tickling your eyelid varies from eye to eye and lens to lens. Your certified
eye care specialist may recommend a wearing schedule that only calls for a
few hours per day initially. As you adapt to your new RGP lenses, you can leave
them in for longer and longer until you don’t notice them at all. Your
optometrist or ophthalmologist can give you plenty of tips and tricks to get
past the first few days of a new RGP lens regimen. If you aren’t sure if RGP
lenses are right for you, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor to go
over the pros and cons of each solution.
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