UNITED STATES—Switching from glasses to contact lenses is a popular choice for achieving clear vision, comfort, and freedom from the constraints of frames. The right lenses can boost confidence but selecting them isn’t just about convenience—it’s about safety and long-term eye health. 

This guide covers different types of lenses, key factors to consider, and proper care tips. By reading it, you’ll be ready to make an informed choice and consult your eye care professional to find lenses that suit your prescription, lifestyle, and comfort needs.

Types of Contact Lenses

When exploring the various types of contact lenses, it is helpful to understand how each option works and what benefits and drawbacks it offers.

Soft Contact Lenses

Soft contact lenses are the most commonly prescribed type. They’re made of water-containing plastics that allow oxygen to reach your cornea. These lenses are comfortable, easy to adjust to, and come in different replacement schedules:

  • Daily disposables: Worn once, then thrown away. Great for convenience and reducing infection risk.
  • Bi-weekly lenses: Replaced every two weeks, requiring daily cleaning.
  • Monthly lenses: More cost-effective, but demand consistent cleaning and care.

Advantages: Comfort, variety of options, and availability for most prescriptions. Many even offer UV protection.

Disadvantages: Soft lenses can tear easily, absorb chemicals from the environment, and cause dryness if overworn. Plus, improper use of soft lenses increases the risk of eye infections. 

If you want to try colored soft lenses, check out Air Optix Colors for a comfortable, vibrant option.

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses

If you need sharp, crisp vision and don’t mind a short adjustment period, rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses may be the right fit.

RGP lenses are smaller and stiffer than soft lenses, providing sharper vision for people with astigmatism or other corneal irregularities. Unlike the old “hard lenses” of decades past, RGPs allow oxygen to pass through to the eye.

Benefits: Exceptional clarity, durability, and a lower risk of infection since they resist deposits better.

Challenges: They require a longer adjustment period, can feel uncomfortable at first, and are easier to dislodge during sports or outdoor activities.

Specialty Lenses

People with unique vision needs or certain eye conditions may benefit from specialty contact lenses designed for customized correction.

Some eye conditions require more advanced designs:

  • Toric lenses: Designed for astigmatism, these stay in place to correct uneven corneal shapes.
  • Multifocal lenses: Perfect for presbyopia, allowing you to see clearly at multiple distances.
  • Scleral lenses: Larger lenses that vault over the cornea, resting on the sclera. Ideal for keratoconus or post-corneal transplant patients.

Research published on the National Library of Medicine in 2025 shows that scleral lenses improve vision and comfort for individuals with irregular corneas.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Contact Lenses

Choosing the right lenses requires looking beyond vision correction and thinking about your health, habits, and lifestyle.

Eye Health and Prescription

Your prescription strength, corneal shape, and overall eye health play a major role in lens selection. High prescriptions or irregular corneas may benefit from RGP or specialty lenses. 

Because contact lenses are classified as medical devices by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), you should always consult an optometrist or ophthalmologist before using them.

Lifestyle and Preferences

The way you live your life should influence the type of contact lenses you select.

Think about how you live your day-to-day life:

  • Do you want lenses you can throw away at night? Choose daily disposables.
  • Do you play sports or swim often? Consider lenses designed for active lifestyles.
  • Do you want to wear them overnight? Extended wear lenses exist, but most eye doctors discourage sleeping in them due to infection risks.

Comfort and Fit

Comfort should always be a priority when selecting contact lenses.

Even the best lenses won’t work if they’re uncomfortable. A poor fit can cause dryness, irritation, or blurred vision. Recent studies show that symptoms such as discomfort and dryness affect nearly 50% of contact lens wearers. Testing different materials and designs under professional supervision helps ensure long-term comfort.

The Different Materials of Contact Lenses

Not all contact lenses are made from the same materials, and the differences can impact both comfort and eye health.

Silicone Hydrogel

These advanced lenses allow up to five times more oxygen to reach your cornea compared to traditional hydrogel lenses. This reduces the risk of swelling and increases comfort for extended wear.

Hydrogel

Hydrogel lenses are the traditional choice and remain widely used because of their initial comfort.

Traditional hydrogel lenses are soft and comfortable, but allow less oxygen through. They’re affordable but may not be the best choice for long hours of wear.

Other Materials and Coatings

Some contact lenses feature advanced coatings that enhance performance and comfort.

Modern lenses may include:

  • UV protection: Helps block harmful UV rays, though they don’t fully protect. Sunglasses with “UV400” and wide-brimmed hats provide fuller eye protection.
  • Anti-glare or moisture-retention coatings: Improve comfort for those prone to dryness.

How to Care for Your Contact Lenses

Caring for your contact lenses helps protect your eyes and lowers the risk of infections. Here’s how to keep them safe and comfortable:

Cleaning and Storing Contacts

Cleaning your lenses correctly ensures they stay safe and comfortable to wear.

Daily cleaning prevents deposits and infections. Two main solutions are available:

  • Multipurpose solutions: Clean, disinfect, and store your lenses.
  • Hydrogen peroxide solutions: Effective for sensitive eyes but require a neutralizing step before wear.

Never use water or saliva, as these can introduce dangerous microorganisms.

Handling and Hygiene Tips

Safe handling habits protect your eyes from irritation and harmful bacteria.

  • Wash your hands thoroughly before handling lenses.
  • Use fresh solution daily—never “top off” old liquid.
  • Replace your case every three months to avoid bacterial growth.

Replacement Schedule

Sticking to the replacement schedule for your lenses helps prevent eye problems.

Daily disposables should never be reused, and monthly lenses should not be stretched beyond 30 days. Overwearing lenses increases your chance of developing conditions like microbial keratitis.

Conclusion

Choosing contact lenses isn’t just about convenience — it’s about protecting your eyes. Work with your eye care professional to find the right fit for your vision, lifestyle, and comfort.

Daily disposables are often the safest and easiest to manage, but other options might be better if you need sharper correction, longer wear, or specialized designs.

The right pair can make your daily routine smoother, clearer, and a lot more comfortable.