Rigid Gas Permeables Comparisons
Which Lens Is Best For You?
The purpose of rigid gas permeables
comparisons is really to find out which type of contact
lens is really the best for you. Before entering into this discussion,
perhaps we should be clear as to what a rigid gas permeable (RGP)
lens is?
What Are RGP Lenses?
Gas permeable lenses utilise silicon, and
were introduced in the mid-1980s. The technology is newer than that
used in the creation of soft contact lenses. The use of silicone
also makes the plastic more flexible plastic than PMMA, which is
the material from which hard contact lenses were originally made.The
gas permeable nature of RGP lenses means that oxygen can pass through
then, resulting in greater comfort and better eye health. In fact,
RGPs transmit more oxygen to the eye than do most soft contact lenses.
GPs can also provide better visual acuity,
durability, and deposit resistance than soft contact lenses. They
can be easier to clean, and since they're long-lasting, they can
be less expensive in the long term than soft lenses.
Comparisons
Tests have been carried out on RGP's, to discover
the effects of lenses on corneal swelling and corneal infections.
Despite 125 Dk/t units or greater, studies
have shown differences in overnight swelling between RGP and silicone
hydrogel materials. There is a small but significant overnight swelling
with RGP lenses in this class when compared with silicone hydrogels,
yet studies of Pseudomonas adherence to human epithelium have shown
that RGP-wearing corneas bind the least bacteria.
Conclusions. Corneal refractive therapies are on the verge of international
acceptance as a standard alternative for treating refraction. Continually
using newer, more permeable lens materials is a necessity to ensure
safety, efficacy, and, in turn, long-term acceptance.
The research and results above (C) 2004 Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins, Inc.
One can conclude from this research that the
gas permeable nature of the lens is critical to the well being of
the eye. The question of comfort will always play a part in a discussion
such as this, but bearing in mind the nature of the conclusions
drawn above, it would be worthwhile to make a great effort to try
and get used to your RGP's.
Taking
care of your eyes |
