History of Contact Lenses

Question 1

First person to conceive of neutralization of the cornea by substituting a new refracting surface

Answer 1

Leonardo Da Vinci

He also described the mechanism of image formation of the retina

Question 2

In “Ways to Perfect Vision,” described how a tube of water placed against the eye will cause no refraction to take place at the entry of the eye. Also outlined principles of telescopes and devices to enlarge retinal image size

Answer 2

Rene Descartes

Question 3

“The Father of Physiological Optics.” Was the first to….

1) Establish that accommodation was related to changes in the lens
2) Describe and measure astigmatism
3) Provide a scientific explanation of color vision

Answer 3

Thomas Young

Question 4

The first to take a photograph onto glass, giving us the terms: photography, positive, negative, and snapshot.

More importantly, he first described a contact lens that has a posterior surface to match the cornea, and an anterior surface to neutralize refractive error

Answer 4

Sir John Herschel

Question 5

Master glassblower who was the first to create a contact lens. Also, what was this CL used for?

Answer 5

Fredrick A. Muller. The lens was a bandage CL for a patient that lost a lid to cancer removal surgery. It protected the eye from exposure keratitis

Question 6

These three people independently developed the first contact lenses. In what year was this?

Answer 6

1888

Adolph Eugen Fick in Zurich Swizerland
August Muller in Kiel Germany
Eugene Kalt in Paris France

Question 7

What were Fick’s contributions to CLs?

Answer 7

Published the first work on CL and, with Zeiss, developed the first CLs with refractive power

Question 8

What were August Muller’s contributions to CLs?

Answer 8

First to describe etiology of CL induced corneal edema. The lack of O2 permeability of glass led to neovascularization and corneal clouding after 2-4 hours after inserting

Question 9

What were Kalt’s contributions to CLs?

Answer 9

Developed the first CLs for keratoconus

Question 10

What were the two manufacturers of CLs from 1888 - 1936?

Answer 10

Blown glass lenses by FA Muller Company

Ground glass lenses by Carl Zeiss Company

Both in Germany! With WW2 –> innovation outside Germany

Question 11

When did PMMA become the material of choice for CLs?

Answer 11

1938

Question 12

What is the Dk value of PMMA?

Answer 12

0

Question 13

What is the Dk value of CAB (cellulose acetate butyrate)?

Answer 13

4-8

Question 14

What is the Dk value of silicone acrylate?

Answer 14

12-54

Question 15

What is the Dk value of Flurosilicone acrylate?

Answer 15

30-160