Seeing Clearly With Custom Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses (RGPs) 

Before soft contact lenses, there were rigid gas permeable lenses or RGPs for short. Back then, there were not so many options and with the invention of soft contact lenses, RGPs fell out of favour. Over time, however, continued advancements in technology allowed for the use of RGPs in specialized contexts, introducing new vision solutions to patients of all sorts.

What Exactly Are Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lenses?

Unlike soft contact lenses, which are flexible and take the shape of your eye, RGP lenses are made of a firm yet breathable plastic material. They rest on the tear film that coats the eye rather than molding to the eye’s surface.

General benefits of RGPs: 

1. Crisp, Stable Vision: Because RGP lenses hold their shape, they can correct vision more precisely. Many people experience sharper, more stable vision, especially those with astigmatism or irregular corneas.
2. Excellent Breathability: The “gas permeable” part means the lenses allow oxygen to reach the eye, helping maintain eye health.
3. Long-Lasting and Environment-Friendly: RGP lenses don’t need to be replaced as frequently as soft lenses. With proper care, many pairs last a year or longer, reducing waste and long-term cost.
4. Custom Fit for Your Eyes: RGP lenses aren’t one-size-fits-all. They can be designed for almost any corneal shape, making them ideal for people whose eyes don’t fit standard soft lens parameters.

There are many different types of RGPs available today including:

Spherical, toric and multifocal RGPs: hard contact lenses that correct for spherical, astigmatic or multifocal vision needs. These RGPs are great for patients with very high prescriptions or high astigmatism. 

Keratoconus RGPs: hard contact lenses specifically designed for patients with keratoconus. This progressive degenerative corneal condition can be destructive to vision, but with RGPs, patients with keratoconus can achieve functional, and sometimes even 20/20 vision.  

Scleral lenses: unlike regular RGPs, scleral lenses land on the white of the eyes instead of floating over the cornea. This makes these lenses easier to get used to and more comfortable than RGPs. These lenses can benefit patients with irregular corneas like those with keratoconus or who have had a corneal transplant. Scleral lenses can also be used in cases of severe dry eye to keep the cornea bathed in tears throughout the day. 

Hybrid lenses: typically have a rigid centre attached to a soft skirt. This provides the visual benefits of RGPs with improved comfort as the edge of the lens is soft. Due to the dual nature of these lenses, they may not last as long as lenses that are completely rigid. 

Ortho-Keratology lenses: are rigid lenses that are specially designed to reshape the cornea during sleep. These lenses are worn overnight, and when removed in the morning, the user can see clearly throughout the day without any glasses or contact lenses! A secondary benefit of orthokeratology is that if used in childhood or adolescence, these lenses can actually reduce the progression of myopia or nearsightedness.

How to Get Custom RGP Lenses

If you’ve never had custom lenses before, the process can feel mysterious. In reality, it’s a well-structured experience designed to ensure that your lenses fit comfortably and give optimal vision.

1. Comprehensive Eye Exam: It begins with a standard eye exam to check your overall eye health and determine your current vision needs
   
2. Corneal Measurements: Your optometrist takes detailed measurements of the shape and curvature of your eye using highly specialized equipment. This may include:
1. Keratometry (measuring corneal curvature)
2. Corneal topography (creating a detailed map of the corneal surface)
3. Optical coherence tomography (OCT, which produces a 3D cross section of the structures in your eye)

3. Lens fitting, selection, and custom design: based on the data, the optometrist will discuss what RGP options may be best for you. Once you have decided on a plan, the optometrist may put some trial lenses on your eyes to do further measurements. In the situation that there are no appropriate trial lenses based on your measurements, a custom lens may be ordered strictly based on the eye tests done. Each RGP is a fully custom design built just for your eyes by the specialty lab.

4. Insertion and removal training: our team will train you on how to put in, take out and care for your lenses.

5. Lens delivery and refinement: once the lenses arrive, the optometrist will re-check them on your eyes. In some cases, adjustments are needed to optimize your vision or comfort.

6. Lens adaptation: once the optometrist has adjusted the lens to best fit your eyes, you will take them home! Over the first couple of weeks, your will be getting used to the feeling of the lenses.

7. Follow up visits: may be required to ensure the lenses remain comfortable, the vision is stable and any necessary refinements can be made.

What if I have already worn RGPs before?

In the situation that nothing has changed with your eyes, we are happy to re-order any lenses previously purchased at our clinic. 

However, if there are any changes such as changes in your eye size or shape, changes in your prescription or changes in your visual needs, a new fitting needs to be done. Since each RGP is custom made for your specific eyes, whenever changes are required, all tests and measurements required for an RGP fitting must be done to ensure the best possible lenses for your eyes.

Why the Custom Process Matters

Eyes are as unique as fingerprints. A well-designed custom RGP lens doesn’t simply improve vision—it often improves comfort, eye health, and day-to-day life. The customization process ensures:

• A lens that provides stable vision and comfort 
• Best possible comfort and therapeutic benefit 
• Precise vision correction
• Best possible eye health

Final Thoughts

Custom rigid gas permeable lenses are a powerful option for people who want clarity, durability, and a tailored fit. While they require a little more time and patience during the fitting process, the result is often exceptional vision and long-term comfort.

If you’re curious whether RGP lenses could be right for you, the best first step is to schedule an appointment with your optometrist. They can evaluate your needs and help you explore whether custom lenses might be a good fit. Specialty RGP contact lens fitting services starts at $100 and up depending on your visual needs. To make a custom RGP for your eyes starts at $300 and up. Contact us or visit us for an appointment to learn more and we can further discuss your vision and any costs involved.