Tinted Gas Permeable Lenses - An Overview

Rigid Gas Permeable lenses, otherwise known as RGP, GP or gas permeable lenses, are often considered to be the 'poor cousin' as it were of soft contacts. A perception that is ill deserved. Although they can initially be more difficult to get used to than their hydrophilic brethren, gas permeable contacts offer a host of advantages (including price, durability, and sharper vision) that make them a suitable alternative to the popular-choice soft contact lenses. One of the only major drawbacks is that RGPs are not available in disposable or scheduled replacement forms. Also, because they are less popular than soft contact lenses, gas permeable contact lens wearers have far fewer options in terms of cosmetic or tinted gas permeable lenses.

Still, Gas Permeable users are not completely devoid of choice and since the first tinted GP lenses were made available in 1983, various styles and types have been developed. So-called visibility tints are included in many lenses to allow users to more easily find their contacts. Other types of tints, more commonly known as cosmetic contact lenses, enhance the wearer's natural eye color or even completely 'replace' them with an altogether different, darker color. Cosmetic lenses are most often found in soft contact form simply because of the size of the soft contact lens market, but these are also available in gas permeable form, again with a diminished selection.

Other tinted lenses are designed specifically with sports applications in mind, increasing the contrast so as to make the ball more visible to the wearer. Lastly, an extreme form of tinting is the costume or special effect style lens that allows wearers to drastically alter their appearance with blood-red eyes, animal-like irises and a host of other such designs.

If you're looking for Colored Gas Permeable Lenses, soft contact lenses or lens care products, our links to the right should prove helpful in directing you to whatever product it is that you may need.

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