Ever wondered what the first contact lens looked like? Believe it or not, it was made of glass! In 1508, da Vinci introduced the idea of correcting vision through glass and water in his work, Codex of the Eye, Manual D. He studied how our eyes adjust to focus on near and distant objects. His proposals included submerging the eye in a bowl of water and designing a glass funnel filled with water to improve vision. Although these ideas were impractical at the time, da Vinci’s work is said to have laid the foundation for the contact lens as we know it today.
So, how did this concept evolve over the centuries into the comfortable, advanced lenses we wear today? Let’s explore the journey through history and innovation.

1630s: René Descartes

René Descartes proposed that water could improve visual acuity. He created a sealed, water-filled glass tube that rested on the cornea. However, this device had major drawbacks: it required external pressure to stay in place, and the wearer couldn’t blink while using it.
Development of practical contact lenses came to a halt for 165 years, with significant advancements not emerging until the 19th century.

1800s: Thomas Young

Thomas Young continued studying how the eye accommodates varying distances. He created a liquid-filled “eyecup” with a microscope eyepiece at its base. The eye was submerged in the liquid, with a wax seal added to prevent leaks. While not practical for everyday use, Young’s work was revolutionary. He also discovered the cause of astigmatism, a significant breakthrough in eye care.

1840s: Sir John Herschel

In 1845, Sir John Herschel proposed solutions for vision correction, including a spherical jelly-filled glass capsule and a corneal mold made of transparent material. Although he never created prototypes, Herschel’s theories inspired future researchers to develop fitted lenses that corrected refractive errors.

1880s: Fick, Müller, and Culpeper

In 1888, Adolf Fick designed the first modern contact lenses. These afocal scleral lenses were made of glass and contained a dextrose solution to reduce irritation. Fick tested his invention on rabbits, then himself, and finally volunteers. It is said that the term “contact lens” originates from the paper titled “Eine Kontaktbrille” (translated as “A Contact Lens”) published by Adolf Fick in 1888.
Around the same time, August Müller crafted blown-glass lenses to correct his severe myopia, while Eugène Culpeper designed glass shells to treat keratoconus, a condition affecting the cornea. These early lenses allowed blinking but could only be worn for a few hours due to discomfort and blocked oxygen flow to the eye.

1930s: Dallos, Komáromy, and Feinbloom

Josef Dallos and István Komáromy created scleral lenses custom-fitted for patients. Meanwhile, William Feinbloom introduced plastic scleral lenses made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). These lightweight lenses replaced glass versions but still blocked oxygen flow, causing irritation.

1940s: Kevin Tuohy

In 1948, Kevin Tuohy revolutionised contact lenses with a serendipitous lab accident. While working on a scleral lens, it broke, leaving a smaller piece that he tested on his own eye. This led to the development of the first plastic corneal lens, which only covered the cornea and allowed for better fit and comfort.

1950s-1960s: Wichterle, Lim, and Morrison

In 1954, Otto Wichterle and Drahoslav Lim invented hydrogel, a soft and flexible material ideal for medical applications. By the 1960s, Robert Morrison adapted hydrogel to create soft contact lenses, which were later manufactured by Bausch & Lomb. These lenses paved the way for today’s innovations, including daily disposables and extended-wear options.

The Future of Vision: Bionic Lenses and Beyond

Having unearthed the history of contact lenses, let’s look to the future. Scientists are currently working on exciting advancements, including:

• Bionic contact lenses: Implanted lenses that restore vision at all distances, treat degenerative diseases, and enhance sight beyond 20/20 vision. Clinical trials are underway.
• Camera lenses: Samsung is developing lenses embedded with tiny cameras and sensors, allowing users to snap a photo with a blink.
• Diabetes lenses: These lenses measure blood glucose levels through tears, with potential applications for monitoring body temperature and alcohol levels.
• Night vision lenses: A prototype is already in development to replace bulky night vision goggles, although more progress is needed.

Final Thoughts

From da Vinci’s water-filled bowls to modern bionic lenses, the journey of contact lenses has been remarkable. Thanks to the visionaries of the past and present, we enjoy cutting-edge options today—and the possibilities for tomorrow are even more exciting.
One day, our future generations might look back on today’s lenses as part of another fascinating chapter in this time capsule of vision.
Shop our range of contact lenses now—whether you need daily, fortnightly, or monthly lenses, coloured contact lenses, or lenses to treat astigmatism, we’ve got you covered!

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