Which lens gives the best vision?

All three can reach excellent acuity on the right eye — the differences show in comfort, stability and wear time, which is why the map and a diagnostic fitting decide.

Why are sclerals quoted higher than RGPs?

They are larger, fully custom devices with a more involved fitting — and for sensitive or advanced corneas, the comfort and stability are what make all-day wear possible at all.

Can I try before committing?

Yes — diagnostic lenses go on-eye at the evaluation, so you experience the vision before any lens is ordered.

What are RGP contact lenses?

Rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses are small, firm lenses made of a plastic that lets oxygen through. Because they keep their own shape, tears fill the space between lens and cornea and smooth out an irregular surface, which gives very sharp vision. They are simple to handle and inexpensive to replace; the trade-offs are that some people never stop feeling the edge, and an advanced cone can keep them from sitting still.

Are scleral lenses hard or soft?

Hard, in the sense that they keep their shape: they are made of rigid gas-permeable plastic that lets oxygen reach the eye. They feel much softer than that sounds, because they rest on the white of the eye, which is far less sensitive than the cornea, over a cushion of saline, and never touch the cornea itself.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brandon Cohenmehr, OD Last reviewed October 24, 2026

Scleral vs. RGP vs. Hybrid

Three ways to put smooth optics over a rough cornea.

Every rigid-optic lens solves keratoconus the same way — a smooth front surface and a tear layer that erases the cornea’s irregularity. Where they differ is everything else: landing zone, comfort curve, handling, and the eyes they suit. The honest comparison:

Book appointmentOr call 310-828-2010 Accepted insurance

Three lens cases in a row on brushed steel

Scleral: Vaults the cornea entirely
RGP: Small, rides the cornea
Hybrid: Rigid center, soft skirt
Decider: Your map + your tolerance

The comparison

Same physics, three personalities.

Scleral — the comfort-first flagship: Lands on the white of the eye, never touches the cone, bathes it in saline all day. Most forgiving on sensitive and advanced corneas; our default for moderate-to-advanced keratoconus and dry, fragile surfaces. Asks: a fill-and-insert routine and the larger first-cost.
RGP — the crisp veteran: Small, simple to handle, inexpensive to replace, optically superb. The trade: lid-lens awareness that some adapt to and some never do, and a fit that advanced cones can destabilize. Right for experienced wearers and milder, centered cones.
Hybrid — the middle path: Rigid optics with a soft landing mean less lens awareness than an RGP, without the scleral routine. The trade: replacement schedules and less customization than a free-form scleral. Right when an RGP won’t sit still but a scleral feels like more than the eye needs.
What decides it: Your Eaglet ESP map, corneal sensitivity, dryness, dexterity and budget: we measure them first, then match the lens. Switching families later is normal, not failure.

Our default, stated plainly

We fit all three. We reach for sclerals most.

Free-form sclerals designed from hundreds of thousands of ESP map points
RGP and hybrid fits for the eyes they genuinely suit
Diagnostic lenses on-eye before any order
Honest switching when the first family isn’t the right one

Book a lens evaluation

Common questions

Scleral vs. RGP vs. hybrid, answered.

Anything else, call the office at 310-828-2010.

All three can reach excellent acuity on the right eye — the differences show in comfort, stability and wear time, which is why the map and a diagnostic fitting decide.
They are larger, fully custom devices with a more involved fitting — and for sensitive or advanced corneas, the comfort and stability are what make all-day wear possible at all.
Yes — diagnostic lenses go on-eye at the evaluation, so you experience the vision before any lens is ordered.
Rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses are small, firm lenses made of a plastic that lets oxygen through. Because they keep their own shape, tears fill the space between lens and cornea and smooth out an irregular surface, which gives very sharp vision. They are simple to handle and inexpensive to replace; the trade-offs are that some people never stop feeling the edge, and an advanced cone can keep them from sitting still.
Hard, in the sense that they keep their shape: they are made of rigid gas-permeable plastic that lets oxygen reach the eye. They feel much softer than that sounds, because they rest on the white of the eye, which is far less sensitive than the cornea, over a cushion of saline, and never touch the cornea itself.

Scleral vs. RGP vs. hybrid near you

12222 Wilshire Blvd, on the Santa Monica border.

West Los Angeles Brentwood Santa Monica Westwood Beverly Hills Culver City Pacific Palisades West Hollywood Marina del Rey Newport Beach

Also consider

Next step

Want the match, not the menu?

One mapping visit with an optometrist in Los Angeles sorts the three families for your eyes — diagnostic lenses included.

Book an evaluation Or call 310-828-2010