Rigid gas permeable contact lenses, also called RGP or GP contact lenses, are made from a firm plastic material that transmits oxygen and contain no water. Unlike hard lenses, RGP lenses permit oxygen to pass directly through the lens to the eye so that it may “breathe.” Because they transmit oxygen these lenses are referred to as gas permeable. They promote excellent eye health because they do not contain water like soft lenses and therefore resist deposits and are less prone to cause eye infections. They are also easier to handle and last longer than soft contact lenses. Gas permeable contact lenses are designed for patients with irregular corneas and refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. RGP lenses are custom made, they can be designed to fit your eye exactly.