Vial Contact Lenses

Vial Contact Lenses - What are they, and who are they for?

Vial contact lenses, which are named so because they’re individually packaged in a vial, are a popular option in the world of vision correction. Although vial contact lenses, also referred to as conventional contact lenses, have been around a long time, improvements in technology are causing them to increase in popularity. While an overwhelming majority of contact lens wearers use soft disposable contact lenses, they’re not without some significant disadvantages—many of which are obsolete with vial contact lenses.

Advantages of Vial Contacts

Vial contact lenses are generally made of superior materials and feature better optics when compared to disposable contact lenses. They’re also better suited for correcting some common eye conditions like astigmatism. In many cases, vial contact lenses are more affordable on a yearly basis. The affordability of vial contacts is due to the fact that they can be worn for several months to a year before they need to be replaced. Some rigid gas permeable, or RGP, contact lenses may even last longer than that. Vial contacts do require cleaning and nightly disinfection and can be difficult to replace early if a lens is torn, damaged, or lost early in the wearing cycle.

Rigid gas permeable contact lenses are vial contact lenses that are made of durable plastic that transmits oxygen. Although they’re rigid, they are not as hard as the earliest hard contact lenses were. RGP vial contacts transmit more oxygen to the eye than traditional soft contact lenses do. In fact, RGP vial lenses are comparable in oxygen transmission to silicone hydrogel contact lenses. They’re known to offer better vision, durability, and deposit resistance than disposable soft lenses.

Factors to Keep in Mind

It’s important to note that RGP vial lenses do require an adaptation period before they feel as comfortable as soft contacts. However, if you are willing to go through this period of adaptation, you’ll achieve the sharpest vision possible from a contact lens. Other types of contact lens wearers who might benefit from RGP vial contact lenses are those who require correction for astigmatism, presbyopia, keratoconus, or those who need contact lenses after refractive surgery. If you’re interested in long-lasting lenses that offer clearer vision and healthier eyes, vial contact lenses are important to consider. Talk to an eye care professional about which type of contact lenses are best suited to your specific vision correction needs, and if vial contacts would be beneficial for you.