Rigid gas-permeable (RGP)
Made of slightly flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the eyes.

Advantages:

• Excellent vision
• Short adaptation period
• Comfortable to wear
• Correct most vision problems
• Easy to put on and to care for
• Durable with a relatively long life
• Available in tints (for handling purposes) and bifocals.

Disadvantages:

• Require consistent wear to maintain adaptation
• Can slip off center of eye more easily than other types
• Debris can easily get under the lenses
• Require office visits for follow-up care.

Daily-wear soft lenses
Made of soft, flexible plastic that allow oxygen to pass through to the eyes.

Advantages:

• Very short adaptation period
• More comfortable and more difficult to dislodge than RGP lenses
• Available in tints and bifocals
• Great for active lifestyles.

Disadvantages:

• Do not correct all vision problems
• Vision may not be as sharp as with RGP lenses
• Require regular office visits for follow-up care
• Lenses soil easily and must be replaced.

Extended-wear
Available for overnight wear in soft or RGP lenses.

Advantages:

• Can usually be worn up to seven days without removal.

Disadvantages:

• Do not correct all vision problems
• Require regular office visits for follow-up care
• Increase risk of complication
• Require regular monitoring and professional care.

Extended-wear disposable
Soft lenses worn for an extended period of time, from one to six days and then discarded.

Advantages:

• Require little or no cleaning
• Minimal risk of eye infection if wearing instructions are followed
• Available in tints and bifocals
• Spare lenses available.

Disadvantages:

• Vision may not be as sharp as RGP lenses
• Do not correct all vision problems
• Handling may be more difficult.

Planned replacement
Soft daily wear lenses that are replaced on a planned schedule, most often either every two weeks, monthly or quarterly.

Advantages:

• Require simplified cleaning and disinfection
• Good for eye health
• Available in most prescriptions.

Disadvantages:

• Vision may not be as sharp as RGP lenses
• Does not correct all vision problems
• Handling may be more difficult.