Soft Contact Lenses

• Soft contact lenses are made from clear plastic discs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration states that these lenses are easier for people to adjust to and more comfortable than gas permeable contact lenses.
  
  

Gas Permeable Contact Lenses

• Gas permeable contact lenses are rigid lenses that contain silicone. They produce clearer images than soft contact lenses and keep their shape when a person blinks, according to an article by Nancy Del Pizzo entitled "Gas Permeable Contact Lenses."
  
  

Extended-Wear Contact Lenses

• Extended-wear contact lenses are a type of soft contact lens that can be used for one to six nights and up to 30 days, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These silicone hydrogel lenses allow more oxygen to reach the cornea than some other types of soft contact lenses.
  
  

Disposable Contact Lenses

• Disposable contact lenses are soft contact lenses that are supposed to be worn for one day before being discarded. These lenses are more comfortable to wear and are less prone to calcium and protein buildups than extended-wear contact lenses, according to an article by Liz Segre entitled "Disposable Contact Lenses: A Healthy Choice."
  
  

Bifocal Contact Lenses

• Bifocal contact lenses are made from silicone and plastic materials. They are generally used by individuals suffering from presbyopia, a condition which causes people to have trouble seeing words and objects that are close to them.