Soft contact lenses

• are the most commonly prescribed type of contact lenses (~ 90%)
• are comfortable to wear, easy to use and are difficult to accidentally dislodge
• correct all types of refractive errors 
• can be tinted to enhance or change eye colour (novelty lenses)
• are made from flexible materials known as hydrogels, made up of part plastic and part water; or
• silicone hydrogels which include silicone which allows more oxygen to pass through the lens than traditional hydrogel lenses
• are suitable for people who are active, play sport and those who don't want to wear lenses every day

Rigid contact lenses

• can provide better vision than soft lenses for certain higher or more complex prescriptions, as the optics are better controlled
• are more durable than soft lenses and do not need to be replaced as often
• may require some adaptation initially until comfort levels are achieved
• are made from plastics that are less flexible than those used for soft lenses
• are suitable for a wider range of correction for shortsightedness, longsightedness and astigmatism.

Optometry Australia advises that contact lenses, regardless of type, tinting, power, or intended use, should only be supplied on presentation of a valid prescription.