History of Contact Lenses

Although very few people are aware of it, the history of contact lenses is quite illustrious and very old. While most of the innovations in the contact lenses that we see today have been made only in the last twenty-five years or so, the concept was first conceived as far back as the 1500s.

Surprising as it is, the first mention of contact lenses was made by Leonardo da Vinci in his early sketches in 1508. The next two hundred years saw tremendous progress in the contact lens when scientists from France, England and Hungary consistently developed on the idea to improve the original version.

The 1800s witnesses further developments in the lens industry when finally two independent researchers from Switzerland and France reported using contact lenses to correct optical defects.

The 1900s began the evolution of the modern day contact lens as we know it today. In fact in 1945, the American Optometric Association recognized the growing importance of the contact lens and formally included it in the practice of optometry.

The last quarter of the century has seen the rise of the contact lens by leaps and bounds. Today we have several kinds of lenses not only to correct vision but other ophthalmic defects.

At contactlenses.st we have compiled a detailed timeline and history of the contact lens as we see developed today. For more information log on to contactlenses.st

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