Thick and thin hydrophilic lenses with otherwise similar parameters were worn by patients for 6 mo. The thicker lenses produced greater changes in corneal sensitivity and thickness during the course of adaptation and wear than the thinner lenses. Chronic edema levels of 3-4% were noted with the thick lenses. Changes in corneal power for each lens group were not significant. Thin hydrophilic lenses seemed to produce less upset of normal corneal physiology over the course of the 6 mo. wearing period.