| When asked "what would you prefer - soft contact | | | | secretions don't stick to them. |
| lenses or rigid?", most people would say "soft, of | | | | Use as color contacts to change your eye color |
| course". The idea of having a hard object in your | | | | Here RGP lenses can't compete with soft contacts. |
| eyes scares people and eye doctors know about | | | | All color contact lenses are soft - an RGP lens is |
| this, so they tend to prescribe soft lenses for their | | | | smaller than the iris (the colored part of your eye), |
| patients. But which type provides more benefits for | | | | so it can't change your eye color effectively. |
| your eye health and gives you better comfort and | | | | Which is more expensive - RGP or soft lenses? |
| vision? The answer isn't as obvious as you might | | | | Soft lenses cost per pair is lower than RGP lenses. |
| think it is. | | | | But considering that RGP lenses are usually good for |
| Vision clarity | | | | at least 2 years, the picture turns the other way |
| Both high quality soft and RGP contact lenses provide | | | | around. Lets say you wear Acuvue 2 week |
| good vision. However, studies have shown that | | | | disposable contacts and buy them at $15 (6 lenses |
| properly fitted RGP lenses provide better vision. This | | | | per box). 2 years supply would cost you $ 240. This |
| is important for people who rely on their eyes in their | | | | is definitely more than you would pay for RGP |
| jobs - truck drivers, pilots - and for certain sports, | | | | contact lenses, if you know where to buy discount |
| like shooting. | | | | contct lens. |
| Also, many soft lens wearers report that their | | | | On the other hand, RGP lenses can break and are |
| contacts feel funny in the dark and their vision | | | | easy to lose. So if you think that in two years you |
| decreases. RGP don't have this problem. | | | | might loose your lens a couple times, soft disposable |
| Eye health comparison | | | | lenses are more cost effective for you. |
| Two important factors determine how healthy a | | | | Comfort comparison |
| contact lens is for your eyes - oxygen permeability | | | | Many people think that rigid lenses aren't comfortable. |
| and resistance to protein build-up. | | | | This is nothing but a misconception. People who wear |
| RGP lenses let through 2-4 times more oxygen than | | | | RGP lenses usually don't feel any discomfort; in fact, |
| soft contact lens. Therefore the risk of corneal | | | | they don't feel the lens at all. |
| inflammation is much lower. The only soft lenses that | | | | However, soft lenses feel good from the first time |
| have oxygen permeability comparable to RGP lenses | | | | you put them in, while RGP require a 5-7 days |
| are silicon hydrogel contacts, like Focus Night and Day | | | | adjustment period. They feel strange initially but, |
| or Acuvue Advance | | | | after a week, most people adjust to them quite well. |
| Soft lenses are more prone to protein build-up than | | | | If you aren't happy with the soft lenses you |
| RGP contacts. Of course, if you wear daily disposable | | | | currently wear, ask your doctor if RGP contacts |
| soft lenses, this is not an issue. But if you use | | | | would be better for you. If your optometrist knows |
| monthly or quarterly replacement lenses, by the end | | | | that you aren't afraid of the word "rigid", he or she |
| of its life the lens is covered with proteins no matter | | | | might suggest that RGP lenses would suit your |
| how carefully you clean it. RGP are made from totally | | | | better. |
| different material - plainly said proteins and other | | | | |