My friend wears hard (gas permeable) contact lenses, why doesn’t she wear soft lenses? and what are the benefits of (gas permeable) lenses?

Ok, those of you that know me, know that I edited the term “hard contact lenses” to read “gas permeable contact lenses”. Hard lenses are old school and not usually fit anymore. Gas permeable lenses are extremely healthy and in probably 95% of situations can provide superior vision than soft contact lenses.

In many cases soft lenses can only give decent vision that may fluctuate throughout the day, especially if astigmatism is present. Furthermore, soft lenses are not nearly as healthy compared to their GP counterparts. Gas permeable lenses do not absorb solution, tears, and whatever else they come in contact with; while a soft lens is essentially a sponge. Soft lenses absorb whatever they come in contact with; making them potentially dangerous; exactly the reason you throw them away on a prescribed schedule.

In short, gas permeable lenses are healthier, provide better vision, last longer, oh and did I mention they allow your cornea access to about 5 times more oxygen than a soft lens will?

So the question might be: why aren’t you wearing gas permeable contact lenses?

Sadly, I already know the answer. Despite all the visual, health, and financial benefits I mentioned above. Gas permeable lenses take a bit longer to adapt to than their soft counterparts. When you first put on soft lenses they feel very comfortable. While a gas permeable lens may feel like a lash in your eye that doesn’t want to go away. If you wear them for a month, they will usually feel very good and you will be a happy lens wearer.

Here’s something to think about: In all my years of fitting lenses, almost every patient I have switched from soft to gas permeable lenses had a tough month or two, then loved their new lenses. Every patient I have switched from gas permeable to soft lenses has come back within two weeks wanting their gas perms back.

Happy lens wearing!