Who Invented the Contact Lens?

Many believe the contact lens is a relatively new invention and was conceived in this century due to technology and innovation. While the contacts of today were developed not so long ago, its inception and inspiration began many centuries ago.

This probably comes as quite a shock to many; however the idea of contact lenses began with Leonardo da Vinci. In the 16th century Leonardo da Vinci made sketches of a variety of possibilities and included descriptions of them. Then, more than 100 years later Rene Descartes developed the idea of a corneal lens that would correct visual problems. Thomas Young used Descartes idea 170 years later and developed what has been considered the first lens. However, it would be in 1887 that a German glassblower would develop a contact lens that was designed to be worn and accepted by the eye. After this, the whole world began the quest to develop and improve the designs.

In the 1900s an American optometrist produced the first lens in this country and introduced the contact lens to plastic. This was a huge step and was a move away from glass contacts. The contact industry and technology continued to expand and grow and by the 1960s Otto Wichterle and Drahoslav Lim created a soft contact lens of a water absorbing plastic. This development is what most inspired the majority of soft contacts today. The 1970s found this lens available to patients in the United States as well as the toric contact lens for patients with astigmatism.

The 1980s continued to see improvements and new options in contact wear. Soft colored contacts as well as extended wear lenses became available to the general public. Also, RGP lenses became available in these styles as well. Bifocal lenses also made their way onto the market. And fortunately for all lens wearers, the first multipurpose lens care solution became available. The 1990s continued to see an improvement on all the innovations from the '80s and more options became available for contact lens wearers.

As you can see, there was no one inventor of the contact lens, but rather collaboration over many centuries and many individuals developing new ideas and implementing them.

Maria Gonzalez is webmaster of Contact Vision, a site dedicated to bringing you up to date information on vision related topics.

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Cheap Colored Contacts With No Prescription Are Fun and Easy to Buy Online

The Internet has provided an ideal forum for discovering cheap colored contacts non prescription. This is an especially promising opportunity for those who know how to exercise caution online, and can distinguish a quality site and a good deal, from those that only appear to be offering something special. In fact, if you comparison shop, and make certain that you've discovered a safe site, you can be sure to find cheap colored contacts non prescription that will give you affordability, as well as a great look!

There are certain things that you should make certain before you head out to order cheap colored contacts non prescription, though, even if you've already found the ideal website. Here are some tips to keep you on the right track for safety, comfort, great looks, and a fantastic bargain:

- Be certain that you know the sizing of your cornea: the diameter and the base curve. Even if the color contacts you intend to buy are non-prescription, you still need to know the measurements of your eye, so that you won't suffer discomfort or even cause damage. Your optometrist can do this for you quickly and easily.

- Visit your ophthalmologist to make certain that you don't have any trouble in either the coloured or the white part of your eye that you don't know about. This is important, because contact lenses can aggravate certain conditions.

- Make an appointment with your eye doctor every year after you've been wearing colored contact lenses, since wearing them will cause changes to the cells on the surface of your eyeball, and you risk damaging your cornea. Though this is relatively rare, it is not a risk you want to take. Even if it seems that you aren't experiencing any problems, you should still make certain to get checked out.

- When selecting the brand of non prescription contact lens, go with the one that suits you best, and if it's not in stock, wait for it to be reordered, or go elsewhere. Be very wary of sites that attempt to substitute your order, as different brands have different specifications, and depending on your eye, this may cause difficulties. For example, between brands, there are differences in the water content, and even in the shape of the product itself.

Of course, this is not to say that all cheap colored contacts non prescription contact lenses are dangerous or bad. It just means that you need to be certain you've found the right ones for you. Once you have, you can choose any color, style, enhancement, or wild design that you want. The sky's the limit, so begin today and find the discovering cheap colored contacts non prescription that look the best - and wear the best - in your eyes.

Cheap Colored Contacts
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Non Prescription Contact Lenses Are the Best Way to Alter Your Look Without Altering Your Sight

Today's world has a staggering 75 million contact lens wearers, with 31 million living within the United States. Though it might seem as though this is an awfully large number of people who opt not to wear glasses, there are actually quite a few people who are wearing non prescription contact lenses to alter their look, but not their vision. Non prescription contact lenses are a unique way to change your appearance by way of your eye color, whether making a dramatic change, or a slight enhancement.

As long as you first visit an optometrist, you'll know the correct size so that you can find the contact lens that it best suited to your eye. After a brief period of initial adjustment, most people discover that they can't even feel their non prescription contact lenses anymore.

There are a number of different kinds of non-prescription colored contacts out there. Opaque coloured lenses are able to transform even the darkest natural eye color into a brighter or lighter shade. These lenses are clear in the center so that the wearer can see through the pupil, but the colorless part is surrounded by a wall of color. This allows for the most dramatic change even on the darkest background.

For those who have lighter eyes, enhancement lenses are usually the more natural option. These are still available as non prescription coloured contacts, but instead of being completely opaque, they augment the wearer's natural eye tint with more subtle and flattering hues.

For people who have a wilder streak about them, then there's a broad range of non-prescription novelty contact lenses that are currently all the rage. You can now look like an alien, as though you have cat's eyes, flaming eyes, or any other possible appearance that you could ever want. Essentially, if you want it, they have it.

Surprisingly enough, changing the look of your eye isn't the only reason that non prescription contact lenses exist. Many hospitals and clinics will utilize a special type of clear lens as a sort of bandage for the cornea, especially after the patient has undergone surgery for a cateract. Also, sports players and fanatic spectators will choose to use contact lenses that include filters for certain lights and colors so that they can better see the ball or whatever other target they may need to see.

No matter the reason that you choose to buy non prescription contact lenses, they're certain to be comfortable and satisfying for you. Take advantage of a free offer from your favorite brand, and give them a "test drive", so that you know that you can use them comfortably and without irritation.

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