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See Clearly for Less with Gas Permeable Contact Lenses
Because soft contacts are more popular, it's not well known that gas permeable contact lenses often perform better and cost less. Gas permeable contacts were previously known as rigid gas permeable lenses due to their less flexible nature compared to soft lenses. But the fact that gas permeable contact lenses aren't as flexible, also gives them several advantages over soft contacts.
Even though soft contact lenses are also gas permeable, gas permeable contact lenses are identified as such to distinguish them from the first plastic contact lenses. The plastic used for the original contacts was harder than gas permeable contacts and wasn't gas permeable. And the importance of gas permeability has to do with getting oxygen to the eye's cornea.
Gas permeable contact lenses are made from a plastic that gases, most importantly oxygen, can pass through. Because the first contact lenses weren't gas permeable, the cornea wouldn't get enough oxygen and the lens wearer would get irritated eyes.
Besides being superior to early lenses, gas permeable contact lenses also have several advantages over soft contacts. Soft contact lenses become soft only because they soak up water like a sponge. But they also soak up anything else that's in your tears or the air. And just as it's hard to get dirt out a sponge, it can be difficult to keep soft lenses clean. Since gas permeable contacts aren't water absorbent, they're much easier to keep clean.
Another advantage that gas permeable contact lenses have is that they're more durable than soft lenses. A typical gas permeable lens will last several years while a soft lens is usually replaced within a year or less. And although a gas permeable lens costs more to buy, because it lasts much longer, its cost per year is less.
Because gas permeable contact lenses are less flexible than soft contact lenses, they often give better optical performance. Soft lenses are vulnerable to having their shape slightly altered every time you blink. But because a gas permeable lens holds its shape better, you get consistent performance. And unlike soft lenses, gas permeable lenses can correct for minor variations in the cornea's surface.
For more information about contacts or where you can get brand name gas permeable contact lenses at cheap prices, please go to discount contact lenses.