RGP and scleral lenses
15 October, 2026 | 2:00 PMRigid lenses give the eye a smooth, even surface to see through. For some eyes, especially with keratoconus or an irregular cornea, they can give clearer vision than glasses. They take a few weeks to get used to, and good daily care is essential.
What they are
- RGP lenses (rigid gas permeable) are small, firm lenses that sit on the cornea, the clear front of the eye.
- Scleral lenses are larger rigid lenses. They vault over the cornea and rest on the white of the eye. They are filled with sterile saline before they go in.
Your optometrist chooses the design from scans of your eye and a trial fit. Some eyes need more than one design before the fit is right. That is a normal part of the process.
Who they may suit
- Keratoconus, where the cornea thins and bulges
- Irregular corneas after injury, a corneal graft or laser eye surgery
- High prescriptions or high astigmatism
- People whose vision or comfort is poor with soft lenses
Handling your lenses
You are taught in the clinic, and you take your lenses out on your own before you go home. These are reminders.
- Keep your nails short.
- Wash your hands with soap, rinse and dry them with a lint-free towel.
- Work over a clean, flat surface.
- To remove: use the method you were taught, with your fingers or a small suction remover.
- To insert: rinse the lens with your solution. For a scleral lens, fill the bowl to the brim with preservative-free saline, lean forward so your face is level with the floor, and look straight down. Hold your lids open and place the lens gently on the eye.
- If you see a bubble, or the lens feels wrong, take it out and try again.
- To clean: rub and rinse each lens with the products you were given. Empty, rinse and air-dry the case every day.
Do and don't
Do
- Follow your written wearing schedule
- Wear them on the day of each check-up, as your optometrist advises
- Bring your case and glasses to every visit
- Replace your case at least every three months
Don’t
- Sleep in your lenses
- Let tap water touch your lenses or case
- Top up old solution in the case
- Swim or shower in your lenses
Tap water can carry a germ called Acanthamoeba, which can cause a serious eye infection.
Getting used to them
Being aware of the lenses for the first week or two is normal. Build up your wearing time slowly, as your written schedule says. This gives your eyes time to adjust.
Check-ups are closer together in the first few months, then spaced out once the fit is settled. Your optometrist sets the schedule. Rigid lenses usually last one to two years.
When to call us on (03) 9702 9118
Take the lens out first. Then call the same day if you have:
- A red eye
- Eye pain
- Sensitivity to light
- Vision that drops and does not clear with the lens out
- A lens you cannot remove
Go to the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital emergency department (32 Gisborne Street, East Melbourne, open 24 hours), or call 000, if
you have severe pain or a sudden loss of vision and cannot reach us.
To book a contact lens assessment, book online or call us on (03) 9702 9118.
FAQs
Are rigid lenses uncomfortable?
Most people notice them at first. This usually eases over the first few weeks as your eyes adjust.
Can rigid lenses fix keratoconus?
Rigid lenses can improve how clearly you see while you wear them. They leave the shape of the cornea as it is. Your ophthalmologist manages the condition itself.
Why do I need several fitting visits?
Each eye is shaped differently, especially with keratoconus. A lens may be changed during the fitting to improve the fit and vision.
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