Eye health resources

Explore the history of contact lenses

Ever stopped to wonder how your tiny contact lenses came to be? Or how they might change in the future? Follow along for a walkthrough that’s a little bit science, a little bit sci-fi, and a whole lot of vision innovation.

Medically reviewed on January 28, 2026

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Published on April 8, 2026

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5 minute read

Key Takeaways

Leonardo da Vinci is often credited with designing the first concept of contact lenses in 1508

The first usable contact lenses were made of blown glass in the late 1800s

Otto Wichterle invented the material for soft lenses in the 1960s

Today, most contact lenses are made of specialized plastics called hydrogels

Scientists are trying to develop smart contact lenses that can monitor glucose levels or even take photos

The history of contact lenses – a timeline

The complete history of contact lenses goes back farther than you might think. While many people contributed, there isn't just one person who made contact lenses a reality—many people helped along the way.

The conceptual foundation for contact lenses

1508 - Leonardo da Vinci demonstrated how vision changed when submerging a subject’s head in a bowl of water.

17th century - Philosopher René Descartes proposed a liquid-filled glass tube placed against the eye to help correct vision.

Mid-1800s –Sir John Herschel suggested that astigmatism could be corrected by placing an “animal jelly-filled” capsule over the cornea.

The invention of glass contact lenses

1888 – A German ophthalmologist named Adolf Eugene Fick created the first successful contact lens. He made it from heavy, blown glass that he fitted onto rabbits first, and later, people. These lenses could help correct astigmatism, but had no ability to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness.

1889 – August Müller created a glass lens that could correct his own nearsightedness (myopia).

Evolving to plastic contacts

1936 – Optometrist William Feinbloom introduced a lens that used both glass and plastic, making it lighter.

1948 - Thanks to a happy accident, optician named Kevin Tuohy invented the corneal hard plastic lens. While working in a lab, a large plastic lens broke, leaving just the small central part that covered the cornea. He tried it on and realized it stayed in place.

1964 - A Czech chemist Otto Wichterle developed the first soft contact lenses using hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), which is now referred to as hydrogel. In fact, he first created these contacts using only the tools he had available to him at the time, which included children’s construction toys. These lenses revolutionized the world of vision correction because they were more comfortable than rigid lenses, making contacts more appealing to more people.

The contact lenses of today

These days, the most common contact lenses on the market are made from specialized plastics called hydrogels or silicone hydrogels. These materials love water and allow oxygen to pass through to your eye to help keep it healthy. There are also advancements being made all the time, especially in areas like myopia management.

Contacts for myopia or hyperopia

Made from flexible materials, soft lenses conform to the shape of your eye and tend to work for most common vision conditions. They're designed to be comfortable on the eye, making them a popular choice for first-time contact lens wearers.

See ACUVUE contacts for myopia & hyperopia

Contact lenses for astigmatism

Specifically designed for people with astigmatism, toric lenses have a unique shape that accounts for the uneven curvature of the eye. They need to be worn in the right orientation on your eye to be able to correct your vision, but don't worry, and contact lens manufacturers design their lenses so that they stay in the right orientation automatically.

See ACUVUE contacts for astigmatism

Multifocal contact lenses

Ideal for those with presbyopia—an age-related condition that makes it difficult to focus on close objects—multifocal lenses have multiple prescription strengths in the same lens, providing clear vision at multiple distances. They offer a seamless transition between near, intermediate, and far vision.

See ACUVUE multifocal contacts

Contacts for myopia management

The number of people with myopia have doubled over the past 20 years. Since myopia puts your eye at risk for eye-threatening diseases like myopia macular degeneration, doctors and scientists around the world have been looking for ways to halt or slow the progression of myopia. So far, approaches like orthokeratology and myopia management contact lenses have shown promise.

The contact lenses of tomorrow

We have come a long way from bowls of water and blown glass. Now, scientists are working on the next generation: smart contact lenses. These futuristic lenses are being designed to do more than just correct vision. Researchers are exploring lenses with tiny sensors that can monitor health data, like measuring glucose levels in tears for people with diabetes.

Are camera contact lenses possible?

Imagine blinking to take a picture. Technology companies have filed patents for camera contact lenses that include ultra-tiny cameras and display units. While these are still largely in the research and development phase, the potential is incredible. These lenses could theoretically allow you to zoom in on distant objects or display augmented reality (AR) information—like a map or a text message—right in your field of view.

What’s next?

Talk to your doctor about the contacts of today

Curious what your contact lens options are? Get in touch with your eye doctor for a contact lens fitting exam. They’ll perform a comprehensive exam and determine what would be the best fit for you and your lifestyle.

Find an eye doctor

Frequently asked questions

When was contact lenses invented?

While the concept dates back to Leonardo da Vinci in 1508, the first wearable glass contact lenses were invented in the late 1880s by Adolf Eugene Fick and August Müller.

Are smart contact lenses available to buy?

Currently, most smart contact lenses are still in development or clinical trials. While some basic smart tech exists for medical monitoring, consumer versions like AR or camera lenses are not yet widely available on the market.

Why did early contact lenses hurt?

Early lenses were made of glass and covered the entire eye. This material often caused discomfort, and a lack of oxygen to the cornea limited how long they could be worn. Today's soft contact lenses are made of soft, breathable materials, and can absorb water, making them much more comfortable to wear.

How are contact lenses made?

There are two main methods. "Lathe cutting" involves spinning a small button of plastic and carving it into shape with a diamond tool, similar to a potter shaping clay. "Injection molding" involves heating the lens material until it is liquid and injecting it into precise molds. This is how most disposable soft lenses are produced today.

What are contact lenses made of?

These days, contact lenses are typically made of special water-loving plastics called hydrogels or silicone hydrogels that are thin, soft and conform to the shape of your eye.

How do contact lenses work?

Imagine your eye as a camera. For crisp vision, light needs to focus perfectly on the back of your eye—the retina. If the focus is off, things get blurry. Contact lenses redirect that light so it lands just where it should.

How contacts work

When did soft contact lenses become widely available?

In 1972, Bausch & Lomb began selling the first soft contact lenses for the global market.