Contact Lenses: Selecting RGP Material Properties - Scorecard - MDSpire

Contact Lenses: Selecting RGP Material Properties

In this month’s column — part two in a two-part series — I present specific cases that highlight the considerations of these material properties.

  • By

  • Susan A. Resnick, OD, FAAO

  • March 2, 2025

  • 4 min

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Clinical Scorecard: Contact Lenses: Selecting RGP Material Properties

At a Glance

CategoryDetail
ConditionRigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lens Wear
Key MechanismsMaterial properties including oxygen permeability, surface chemistry, hardness/modulus, and specific gravity influence lens selection.
Target PopulationPatients wearing RGP lenses, particularly those experiencing discomfort or visual disturbances.
Care SettingOptometric practice specializing in contact lenses.

Key Highlights

  • Higher-Dk materials optimize oxygen delivery and reduce corneal edema.
  • Surface non-wetting can cause lens fogging; switching to lower-Dk materials with lower wetting angles may help.
  • Careful material selection can enhance vision, comfort, and ocular health.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

  • Evaluate lens fit, ocular surface health, and material properties.

Management

  • Refit patients with higher-Dk materials for better oxygen delivery.
  • Address surface non-wetting with appropriate lens coatings and care systems.

Monitoring & Follow-up

  • Follow-up on symptoms and lens performance after material changes.

Risks

  • Corneal edema and visual disturbances due to inadequate oxygen permeability.

Patient & Prescribing Data

RGP lens wearers experiencing visual disturbances or discomfort.

Use of higher-Dk materials and appropriate lens care systems can resolve issues like corneal edema and lens fogging.

Clinical Best Practices

  • Choose high-Dk materials for high-plus lenses to optimize physiology.
  • Implement lid hygiene and tear supplements for patients with meibomian gland dysfunction.

Related Resources & Content

Original Source(s)

Contact Lenses: Selecting RGP Material Properties

  • by Susan A. Resnick, OD, FAAO

  • March 2, 2025

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