Types of contact lenses

There are many different types readily available these days but all contact lenses come under 3 main types:

Soft lenses are soft & comfortable to wear. These lenses contain a percentage of water & will allow deposits to accumulate with time, these being foreign particles that adhere to the lens surface that can cause problems with lens comfort.

Disposable lenses are actually soft lenses that can be disposed either every day, after a week, 2 weeks or a month. The best thing about them is that they can be replaced with a fresh pair so less worries about deposits accumulating and no need to risk wearing a damaged lens. More info.

Gas permeable lenses are firm & made of a breathable plastic compound that allows oxygen to pass through easily. They may be less comfortable to wear initially but they offer the very highest visual quality and are easy to clean as well as long-lasting. More info.

Other lenses
Toric soft lenses
Custom design lenses
Ortho-k lenses
Continuous wear lenses
Bifocal and progressive lenses

Traditional hard lenses are no longer prescribed.
Contact lenses are very safe to use provided proper care is taken.