Contact Lenses
Advantages and Disadvantages of Various Types of Contact Lenses
Lens Types Advantages Disadvantages
Rigid gas-permeable (RGP)Made of slightly flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the eyes.
Daily-wear soft lenses Made of soft, flexible plastic that allows oxygen to pass through to the eyes.
Extended-wear Available for overnight wear in soft or RGP lenses.
Extended-wear disposableSoft lenses worn for extended period of time (usually one to six days), then discarded. Lenses also available to wear from one to 30 days.
Planned replacementSoft daily-wear lenses that are replaced on a planned schedule, most often either every two weeks, monthly or quarterly. .
Lens Types Advantages Disadvantages
Rigid gas-permeable (RGP)Made of slightly flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the eyes.
- Excellent vision
- Short adaptation period
- Comfortable to wear
- Correct most vision problems
- Easy to put on and care for
- Relatively long life
- Available in tints (for handling purposes) and bifocals
- Available for myopia control and corneal refractive therapy
- Require consistent wear to maintain adaptation
- Can slip off center of eye more easily than other types
- Debris can sometimes get under the lenses
- Require regular office visits for follow-up care
Daily-wear soft lenses Made of soft, flexible plastic that allows oxygen to pass through to the eyes.
- Very short adaptation period
- More comfortable and more difficult to dislodge than RGP lenses
- Available in tints and bifocals
- Available in lenses that do not need to be cleaned
- Great for active lifestyles
- Do not correct all vision problems
- Vision may not be as sharp as with RGP lenses
- Require regular office visits for follow-up care
- Lenses wear out and must be replaced in a timely fashion
Extended-wear Available for overnight wear in soft or RGP lenses.
- Can usually be worn up to seven days without removal
- Some lenses are FDA-approved for up to 30 days
- Do not correct all vision problems
- Require regular office visits for follow-up care
- Could increase risk of complication
- Require regular monitoring and professional care
Extended-wear disposableSoft lenses worn for extended period of time (usually one to six days), then discarded. Lenses also available to wear from one to 30 days.
- Require little or no cleaning
- Lessened risk of eye infection if wearing instructions are followed
- Available in tints and bifocals
- Spare lenses available
- Vision may not be as sharp as with RGP lenses
- Do not correct all vision problems
- Handling may be more difficult
Planned replacementSoft daily-wear lenses that are replaced on a planned schedule, most often either every two weeks, monthly or quarterly. .
- Simplified cleaning and disinfection
- Good for eye health
- Available in most prescriptions
- Vision may not be as sharp as with RGP lenses
- Do not correct all vision problems
- Handling may be more difficult
