I have worn contact lenses since age 19, I am now 42. Conventional hard lenses were worn until about 8 years ago, then my Doc switched me to gas permeables. If you can, stay away from the soft ones. The vision obtained is only so-so and they are a pain. The gas permeables routinely correct to 20-15 (better than "normal") and provide much better peripheral vision, as mentioned above, as well as no fogging in cold weather. Glasses suck, but at 20-400 they are better than running into things. I view (no pun intended) contacts as a modern miracle. Not everyone can wear them at all and some can only wear the soft ones, but they are the only way to go if you can. Being able to wear various shooting glasses during shooting and reloading is a plus, as prescription glasses would be very expensive in ten different styles/lens colors. The only way contacts could be better is if they had breasts. I love both!! [}:D]