If it weren't for the name, rigid gas permeable contact lenses would probably be more popular. In fact, RGP lenses are now called just gas permeable or GP, to get rid of the idea they're uncomfortable. They do take a little longer to adjust to than soft lenses but rigid gas permeable contact lenses give excellent vision performance and durability.

Rigid gas permeable contact lenses are somewhere in between soft lenses and the first contact lenses. The original contacts were hard and weren't gas permeable. But the plastic used for both RGP and soft lenses is gas permeable, which means that it lets oxygen flow through to your cornea. However, a RGP lens isn't water absorbent like a soft lens and so is closer to a hard lens in its flexibility.

Once you get past the question of initial comfort, it's hard to find fault with rigid gas permeable contact lenses. The very fact that they're not as soft and flexible as a soft lens makes them more durable. And even though they cost more to buy, they can last for years, unlike soft lenses which get replaced within a year or less.

Soft contact lenses achieve their comfort by soaking up water. But they'll also soak up other substances from the air or your tears. And just like a dirty sponge, they can be hard to keep clean. But since rigid gas permeable contact lenses aren't absorbent, they're easier to keep clean. And besides health considerations, cleaner lenses give you clearer vision.

If you flex a contact lens you affect its optical performance. And every time you blink, a soft lens is subject to having its shape changed. But rigid gas permeable contact lenses don't change their shape as easily, which makes them less likely to distort your sight. This consistent performance is particularly important for vision correction that requires high precision, such as the toric lens for astigmatism or the bifocal lens for presbyopia.