Guest O.D.'s comments are right on. I've been wearing contact lenses for over 30 years and love them. I'm currently using "extended wear" soft lenses, which I use with a "daily wear" regimen--I NEVER sleep with my lenses. (Of course, I'm not sleeping with anyone else, either, but that's another story entirely...)
One other caution I might add is that people with very high degrees of myopia (nearsightedness) are at increased risk for retinal detachment, which if untreated can lead to permanent loss of vision but which can be successfully treated if caught early enough. Those people should have their retinas checked by a specialist at least every five years. See an ophthalmologist IMMEDIATELY if you notice any irregularity at the edges of your visual field, such as dark spots, haziness, or bright flashes of light. (Note that this should not be confused with "floaters", little black or "clear" bits that float in and out of your vision and are benign remnants of fetal eye tissue.) The risk of retinal detachment does not depend on whether your vision is corrected with glasses, contacts, or surgery. Which reminds me, I'm overdue for MY retina exam!