The History of Contact Lenses

Contact Lenses: The Early Days

Approximately 150 years after da Vinci’s initial experiments with correcting vision through refractive lenses, came a French philosopher named Rene Descartes. Descartes realized that a lens could be placed directly on the cornea, but much like da Vinci, he was unable to create a practical model for a contact lens.

Over the centuries many inventors and scientists created iterations of a lens that could be worn for various lengths of time. Initial prototypes included wearing a glass lens over the cornea and sclera, but most people could only wear this for about 30 minutes at a time, and as you could imagine, having glass on the eyeball was a very uncomfortable thing to do.

In the mid-1800’s Sir John Hershel came up with the idea to take a mold of each person’s eyes to create a lens that would curve and sit more comfortably. He also proposed using a gel to avoid damaging the eye while wearing them.

As time progressed, creating an actual contact lens would become reality due to advancements in the world of glass blowing. Also, because patients were able to be put under medical anesthesia, an accurate replica of their eye was able to be made.

From Then to Now: Modern Day Contacts

Besides the discomfort that came along with glass versions of contact lenses, there was also a need for better material that brought less risk of shattering as well. In the 1930s contact lenses were created with plastic and were much more comfortable and safe for the wearer. These contact lenses were still the early style of contacts that covered the full eye and could only be worn for short periods of time.

The creation of contact lenses that only covered the cornea was created by accident when Kevin Touhy, an Optometrist in England, sanded down a plastic lense much smaller than he meant to. This left him with only enough lens to cover the cornea. He decided to try wearing it and was surprised when he realized that this small version was able to remain in place.

All these advancements, trials and errors over the years are responsible for the versions of contact lenses that we know of and use today, but it wasn’t until sometime in the 1950’s that scientists Otto Wichterle and Drahoslav Lim invented the first soft contacts out of their own product called ‘hydrogel’. 
Fast forward to today and we have the benefits of many different kinds of contact lenses such as:

• Daily wear lenses
• Extended wear lenses that can be worn overnight, and for longer periods of time
• Soft Hydrogel lenses
• Silicone Hydrogel lenses
• Gas Permeable contact lenses that are somewhat rigid and allow oxygen to pass through to the eyes
• Bifocal contacts which help people who have difficulties with both near and far vision
• Monovision lenses

Getting Contact Lenses Today

If you are wondering if contact lenses are right for you, the team at My Optometrist Calgary will assess and fit you with the most suitable lenses to correct your vision and suit your lifestyle. With three convenient locations to serve you in NE Calgary, SE Calgary and Three Hills, our experienced team of eye care professionals will take care of all your contact lens needs. Contact us today by filling out the form below.

FAQs

How do I know if I need contact lenses?
Much like glasses, you will know that you need contact lenses by  noticing if you have:

• frequent headaches
• squinting to see better
• Increased eye fatigue
• double or blurred vision

If you have any of these signs it may mean you need to contact your optometrist and book yourself for a comprehensive eye exam to assess your vision or adjust your prescription.

How do I know if my child is ready for contact lenses?
Many people prefer to wear contact lenses because of the sheer appeal of not having to wear glasses anymore. But it is important to know that contact lenses need to be taken care of properly to maintain proper eye health. Some important things to note before considering contacts for your child are:

• Contact lenses are small and easily dropped/lost
• Hands must be cleaned well before handling contact lenses and they must be cleaned regularly, so good hygiene is important
• There will be an adjustment while getting used to new contact lenses, so they must be able to communicate with you and their optometrist if any issues arise
• If your child has seasonal allergies contact lenses may not be a good fit as they can irritate the eyes
• Contact lenses are not safe for people with certain medical conditions

If you are thinking about the option of contact lenses for your child, reach out to your Calgary eye doctor to discuss the risks and benefits for you.

Are contact lenses better than glasses?
Whether to choose contact lenses or glasses is a personal decision, but there are some clear benefits to choosing contacts such as:

• Contact lenses are more natural feeling once placed properly in the eye
• Contacts do not get foggy and smoggy throughout the day like glasses do
• Contacts are better for sports and other physical activities
• Glasses can distort around the edges, whereas contact lenses do not
• Contact lenses look and feel invisible so you do not have to consider style when purchasing them

If you are trying to decide between contact lenses and glasses book a consultation with your Calgary Optometrist to weigh out the pros and cons for your lifestyle.