Hard Contact Lens or rigid gas permeable lenses or rigid and durable lenses, completely different from soft contact lenses in term of price as well as in applications and safety precautions.
Detailed-
Hard contact lenses are basically the second option of contact lenses available in the market after soft contact lenses. They were made available since the 1970s. Hard contact lenses are rigid gas permeable lenses (the rigid lenses made up of durable plastic that transmits oxygen). They used to maintain the shape of the eye and allow flexibility and more oxygen to pass through the lens to the cornea part of the eye.
Hard contact lenses are rigid lenses that cover or float over a layer of tears.
These rigid lenses cover almost 75 percent of the cornea part of the eye.
What makes RGP lenses different from other contact lenses?
- The hard contact lenses contain silicone which makes them more flexible.
- Silicone is an oxygen-permeable element that allows oxygen to pass directly to the cornea through these lenses, such that making the cornea healthier.
- These RGP lenses retain their shape even in case of blink and maintain the shape of the eye properly.
- The hard contact lenses are extremely durable and cannot get tear easily.
- These hard contact lenses provide sharper vision than soft contact lenses.
Advantages of hard contact lenses
- Provide excellent vision.
- Correct vision problems.
- Provide easy to handle and care.
- Short adaptation period.
- Available for myopia control.
- Used to correct corneal astigmatism.
- Keratoconus control.
Disadvantages of hard contact lenses
- Initial comfort to wear is less.
- Can slip off-center of an eye than other types of lenses.
- Can scratch and break.
- More susceptible to dust particles.
- Debris can get under the lenses sometimes.
Guidelines and tips for wearing and maintaining hard contact lenses
The hard contact lenses work well for vision correction, astigmatism, and other cornea or irregular eye-shaped problems. They are easy to handle and care for.
- Hygiene - This is one of the most important tips for maintaining the contact lens of any kind and eyes as well. Whatsoever contact lens one is wearing, there are many chances of developing an eye infection. For reducing the risk of eye infection, one should properly wash hands before touching eyes or wearing contact lenses.
- Inserting lens -First, check the lens properly whether it is damaged or not. After that put a drop of wetting solution on both sides of the lens. Hold the eyelids of the upper and lower side using the different fingers of a hand. Grip the lids properly under eyelashes. Take the lens on tip of a finger and place it smoothly on the center of the eye.
- Removing lens- While removing the lens, one can easily drop it so it is necessary to do it somewhere where it can be easily found. Use a towel or neat cloth while taking the lens out in case of its dropout. One should open eyes wide and then place one finger at the outer side of the eye and stretch eyelids tightly, then blink. The lens will come out smoothly.
- Cleaning lens - It is an important step for maintaining hygiene. Every-time you are using the lens, clean them. Apply recommended cleaning solution properly to both sides of the lens and rub them gently in between fingers of your hand. Remove the cleaning solution using a saline solution.
- Disinfect the lenses- After cleaning; place the lens in a fresh solution. You should throw the solution every-time when you next use the lens.
In order to provide oxygen and give rest properly to the cornea part of the eye, you should use a hard contact lens for 5-6 hours in continuity, after-that you should preserve them in the solution for healthy 3-4 hours. Then again lenses are ready to use.
Cost of the Hard Contact Lenses
The cost of a hard contact lens increases than other disposable lenses as these RGP lenses can be used daily for up to a year.
The average cost of RGP hard contact lens is $100 per lens, so it is $200 per pair.
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