History of the Contact Lens

The history of contact lens begins somewhere in the 16th century with Leonardo Da Vinci introducing the basic principles but it was over three hundred years later before the first successful contact lens was fitted.

Although the lens could only be worn for short periods it was proof that contact lenses could be a useful means of correcting the eye and the lens developed progressively from there to the comfortable soft contact lenses we have today.

Timeline

1508 – Leonard da Vinci introduces the basic principles.

1636 – Rene Descartes develops his theory of a lens which would cover the cornea.

1801 - Thomas Young runs with Descartes idea and develops a water filled tube which is worn over the eye. He uses this to correct his own vision.

1887 - Adolf Fick creates the first usable contact lens which although effective could only be worn for short periods at a time.

1889 – August Muller develops a lighter and thinner lens.

1936 – Plastic lenses are introduced by William Feinbloom. This was as a result of the development of a substance known as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) also known as plexiglass.

1948 – Kevin Tuohy develops the first contact lens which covers only the cornea.

1950-60′s – Contact lenses become more popular as they become smaller and thinner. However, as these lenses reduce the oxygen entering the eye they cannot be worn for long periods.

1970′s – Oxygen permeable and soft contact lenses are introduced.

1980′s – Color tinted contact lenses are introduced and disposable contact lenses become available.

1998 – Multifocal disposable contact lenses are introduced.

1999 – High oxygen permeable lenses are developed.