I wore gas permeable (rigid) contacts for 20+ years and they were not too bad to take care of...unless of course when I would drop one down the drain and hubby would have to actually take the sink apart! (he hated it when I did that! )

But I actually had lasik surgery in 2001 and it was the BEST $5,000 investment I ever made! I am now able to play in and around water without worrying about them being "spashed" out plus I can actually buy a pair of sun glasses now that are not so heavy or expensive!

I never wore soft or extended wear contacts due to astigmatism, but my son wears them and he loves them!

Good luck!