I wore the same pair of hard, fenestrated lenses for over 15 years. I didn't notice any changes in my vision with that pair until then, and when I went to a new doctor to get my eyes checked out, he just about fell out of his chair ("These belong in the Smithsonian!").
Since then, I've gone through a couple of pairs of gas permeable lenses. The only time they really bother me is when dust gets in my eye(s), and then I just want to die.
I don't think I'll be switching to soft lenses any time soon, though. I hate the idea of pinching them out (shiver)--I'd rather pop out the RGPs.