Are gas permeable contacts for me?

Question

I have mild astigmatism. I was thinking of getting contacts and heard about the gas permeable contacts and how there so much better that soft contacts. I went to the eye doctors and told me I'm better off with the soft contacts since my prescription isn't high and the gas permeable aren't good for me. Are gas permeable good for people with a mild astigmatism? Or am I better with soft contacts?

Answer 1

I started out with gas permeable then switched to disposable soft. I find that the soft are more comfortable and easier to get in and out. Hope this helps!

Answer 2

The gas is Oxygen and Carbon dioxide.

Follow the doctor's advice and use soft.

Spherical hard lenses are sometimes used for mild astigmatism.

Answer 3

RGP's (hard gas permeable) aren't necessarily "better" than soft contact lenses. What they are better for is when people have a very high or off the wall prescription because they are custom made, as opposed to soft disposables. Actually RGP's are more uncomfortable than soft lenses and  (in my opinion) only should be used for those who really need that custom fit/RX.

Your eye doc is correct. There are a TON of soft lenses made for astigmatism - even severe astigmatism - so, that shouldn't be a reason to avoid them. You're alot better off with soft lenses. They stay more moisturized, are gentler on the cornea, and are replaced monthly to ensure sterility. Not to mention, if you were to lose a lens, replacing a hard lens is expensive because you only have one pair!!! Soft disposables are cheap and you have a supply of them! Good luck!

Answer 4

Do you think that a guy in this system could have a better knowledge of medical stuff than a graduated Eye Doctor?

For God´s sake!!

Answer 5

I had to wear gas permeable because of my high prescription when I was just 8-10 years old.  It was horrible.  Painful.  I never got used to it. It wasn't just me being a young child either. My mom had them at the same time, and would almost cry when a piece of dust flew inside.  It was that painfull.

If hard contacts are not recomended by your doctor for any reason (they are used to slow vision progression and for other eye problems) than I would stick with soft contacts, for sure!