It is a terrible thing to see and have no vision. ~ Helen Keller
Although Helen Keller lost her eyesight in January 1882 when she was only 19 months old, this inspiring American author and political activist never lost sight of her vision to perceive the world around her with clarity. Just like Helen Keller, everyone wants to enjoy good vision—especially those depending on visual aids such as contact lenses.
But it wasn’t until 1971 that Bausch & Lomb made soft contact lenses a lifestyle reality for millions to rejoice in a new, improved and convenient way of literally seeing the world again. Now, “contacts” are preferred by many to correct their vision and especially disposable contacts, which are quite affordable and easily acquired from online websites.
Actually, the fascinating history of contact lenses goes back much earlier than this past century. Great ideas are truly born of adverse conditions. As far back as 1508, Leonardo da Vinci’s creative spirit sketched blueprints for the first contact lenses, but they were never followed up nor implemented.
The search for corrective eyewear continued in Europe, however.
European Contributions
The Europeans persisted in experimenting with various scleral or haptic hard lenses (which covered the entire eyeball) by using glass. Over many attempts by different inventors and scientists, successful strides were made. Some more prominent developments included the following.
- In 1632, French philosopher and scientist Rene Descartes, in studying astigmatism, introduced a concept for corneal contact lenses.
- In 1827, (while he didn’t make any lenses) British astronomer Sr. John Herschel suggested applying optical principles to making molds to fit over the cornea instead.
- This was a huge step as lenses began to cover only the iris or colored part of the eye.
- In 1887, German glassblower Frederick Muller expanded on Hershel’s ideas and broke ground on inventing the first modern-style contact lenses—and getting better results here on out.
- Also in 1887, German physiologist Adolph Fick successfully perfected the first glass contact lenses—by first experimenting on rabbits and then on himself. Creative! However, glass contacts were far from being satisfactory for their wearers. Glass was heavy and awkward, impermeable to oxygen and difficult to put on for long periods.
It’s hard to imagine now, but boy, have we come a long way since these early efforts.
American Contributions
By the 20th century, it was time for the Americans to showcase their ingenuity by fashioning contact lenses partly made from a new emerging material—plastic.
- 1936 saw New York City optometrist William Feinbloom patenting hard plastic contacts made from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA, a combination of glass and plastic that’s also known as perspex). They were lighter, didn’t break, nor harm wearers. However, these bifocal and multifocal lenses were still pretty uncomfortable on the eyeballs, especially for extended periods of wear. Why? PMMA lenses don’t allow oxygen through and liquid can’t drain easily, thus resulting in corneal edema (or swelling) and other optic maladjustments.
- 1945 signaled a visionary breakthrough when the American Optometric Association (AOA) sanctioned fitting eye contacts as a legitimate field of optometry.
- 1946 saw ophthalmologist Dr. Reuben Greenspoon patent a contact lens molding device that didn’t require having to make plaster molds from the patient’s eye.
- 1948 was Californian optician Kevin Touhy’s turn to burnish the shine on soft plastic contacts. Relatively more comfortable than previous models, his lenses conformed to the shape of the cornea and permeable in allowing air to flow through.
Soft Contact Lenses
Finally, the breakthrough for soft contact lenses popped, for the better, along with other hip developments of the 1960s—the Beatles, pop culture and hippies. Soft eye contacts became readily available on the market, thus filling the prescription for more comfortable, convenient and cheaper contact lenses, even as the consumer market grew.
- 1960 heralded the advent of making high quality and inexpensive hydrogel lenses using a spincasting method invented by Dr. Otto Wichterle and his assistant, Drahoslav Lim. Hydrogels are scientifically called, “hydroxyethylmethacrylate.”
- In 1971, the U.S. FDA (Food & Drug Administration) approved the “Soflens” hydrogel pioneered by Wichterle and Lim. And, soft contacts overtook hard lenses in popularity.
- On March 18, 1971 Bausch & Lomb began marketing soft contact lenses to the delight of millions. Today, there are over 35 million contact wearers in America alone, with an estimated 125 million worldwide.
- In 1982, technology advanced to where contact lenses could be worn for more than a day. Up till then, wearers couldn’t be sleeping in lenses, as they had to be removed.
- Only 5 years later, disposable contact lenses were available in 1987; plus vanity contacts were available to change eye color to blue, or any other color.
- 1992 ushered in another major innovation—optometrists began selling tinted, disposable contact lenses.
- In 1996, UV-tinted contact lenses further protected the cornea from damage by solar rays.
- By 1999, silicone hydrogels allowed even more oxygen permeability—further extending safer and more comfortable use of contact lenses overnight, bi-weekly and weekly (also known as “extended wear”) and even a month for “continuous wear.”
“New Wave” GP or RGP Lenses
Reflecting modern scientific advances such as microchip technology, the customized production of contact lenses today has become so sophisticated that:
- lowered costs
- comfort
- durability in not being easily scratched or torn
- minimizing eye infections
- maintaining overall good ocular health
- plus the convenience of using them over longer periods of time
are very real reasons motivating millions to switch to contact lenses for correcting their eyesight.
The latest breakthroughs though are GP or RGP (rigid gas permeable) lenses, made of cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB). In a class of it’s own, GP lenses are a boon for active and athletic people. Unlike soft lenses (remember, hydrogels from which they’re made are a mix of water and gel), GPs don’t retain water and therefore entertain no fear of unwanted protein deposits and bacteria accumulating on them to contaminate the eye with foreign materials.
As important, GPs allow vital oxygen to flow into your eyes—just as your nose needs oxygen for healthy breathing and optimal living.
While being highly durable, GPs are also less costly to maintain and last longer. Plus, they stay clearer and offer sharper visual perception for wearers. Although initially more costly than soft lenses, RGPs repay their initial investment many times over within a two-year period.
Additionally, those with astigmatism will find that toric soft lenses are about three times more expensive than GP or RGP lenses.
The only down side to RGP lenses is that they take a little getting used to initially. But once you get used to them, you’ll want to stick with them forever as the “corrective eyewear of choice” for daily lenses—at least until more innovative and cost-effective lenses hit the market again. Some popular RGP lenses are Boston ES and Fluoroperm.
Shopping for Contact Lenses Today
Meantime, as you shop for low-cost contacts that also offer quality and value price-wise, you’re likely comparing various brands such as—Acuvue, Bausch & Lomb, Biofinity, Biomedics, CibaVision, Focus, FreshLook, Paragon, ProVision, Proclear and Soflens.
You’re at the right place to comparison shop at Contact Lenser for a range of full wear lenses and supplies such as lens solution, where smart shopping saves money—and enhance the way you look and feel with your choice of affordable contacts.
Ms. Helen Keller would certainly perceive comparison shopping at Contact Lenser a good thing—and a smart option that your friends and family ought to know about, too.
By Sunamita Lim
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