Join Dr. Berne’s Aromatherapy Certification Course which starts January 28, 2026. Link to register: https://www.drsamberne.com/workshop/online-aromatherapy-foundations-certification/ In this Q&A episode, Dr. Sam Berne breaks down how gas permeable (GP) lenses can be used strategically—not just to see clearly, but to support healthier visual function over time. You’ll learn why overcorrecting myopia can backfire, how slightly reducing a prescription can help preserve reading ability without glasses, and why GP lenses often provide superior clarity for astigmatism compared to soft lenses. This episode is especially helpful for anyone wearing contact lenses who wants clearer vision without overstraining their eyes, as well as practitioners curious about a more functional approach to refractive correction. KEY TALKING POINTS / Q&A BULLETS Why gas permeable lenses provide clearer optics than soft lenses The hidden downside of overcorrecting myopia How intentional under-correction can support near vision and reduce strain Why GP lenses are often a better choice for astigmatism Who should not wear GP lenses Practical tips for adapting comfortably to GP lenses For even more from Dr. Sam, check out his new exclusive membership where you get access to my content and resources, new information, articles, videos, webinars: https://drsambernesmembership.com/ Keep Up with Dr. Sam Website: https://www.drsamberne.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamBerneOD/?fref=ts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samberneod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/drsamberne LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsamberne/

Sam Berne (00:01.219)
Hey folks, it’s Dr. Sam and I’m on my morning walk. I received a question from Brent on Instagram about gas permeable contact lenses.

So if you’ve been diagnosed with astigmatism gas permeable lenses are the best choice because it’s going to give you the most stable clear eyesight. know, those of you that have astigmatism and you tried soft contact lenses. You will know that your visual acuity is less stable and that’s very very frustrating. In addition gas permeable lenses are made of a material which allows your cornea to breathe the oxygen in.

This is so important to reduce things like dry eye syndrome, eye infections and improve your ocular microbiome. You know, that’s the good bacteria in your eyes. So it’s going to give you a healthier eye lymph and immune system by allowing the oxygen to come into your eyes, especially the cornea.

Sam Berne (01:05.302)
Now from a more holistic perspective, it’s important to take your gas permeable lenses off and allow your eyes to breathe and have a different perspective with the eye brain connection. You know, we can get very unconscious with our contacts and wear them all the time and we think our eyes are doing well. So I always say take your contacts off in the evening in non demanding non threatening situations.

And it gives your eye brain a different perspective. Okay, one last point and this is very important. You know, when you go for a regular eye exam and the doctor is correcting you for distance using gas permeable contact lenses, that prescription is going to be too strong for you when you’re doing your digital time and it’s actually going to induce your eyes to get worse. Now there is the conversation that gas permeable lenses

does slow down the deterioration of your refractive error. But if you’re using a distance prescription for your digital time, it is definitely going to induce your eyes getting worse. So this is why I would recommend wearing something reduced over the contact lenses in a blue block or filter, especially for your digital time and this actually will prevent your eyes from getting worse. You know, another technique that I use is sometimes

I will under correct somebody just slightly in the distance with their gas permeable lenses. But what that does is it slows down the deterioration in the over 40 syndrome. We call this presbyopia and I’ve had hundreds of patients over the years come back and say, know, I don’t need to use reading glasses, especially people in their 40s 50s and even 60s because I’ve cut back on the distance prescription a little bit.

and that gives their visual system and focus a little more versatility instead of giving them the super strong lens for distance. So overall two thumbs up for gas permeable lenses use them in moderation like anything else. Thank you so much for the question Brent. Take care and have a great day. Everybody.