contact lens

contact lens

contact lens Lens worn on the cornea to aid defective vision. Invented in 1887, lenses were initially made of glass. Modern contact lenses, developed (1948) by Kevin Tuohy, are made of plastic. Hard (corneal) lenses cover the pupil and part of the cornea. They are usually gas-permeable (allowing oxygen to reach the cornea). Soft (hydrophilic) lenses cover the whole cornea and are hydrated in saline solution.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"contact lens." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"contact lens." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-contactlens.html

"contact lens." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-contactlens.html

Learn more about citation styles

contact lens

con·tact lens • n. a thin plastic lens placed directly on the surface of the eye to correct visual defects.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"contact lens." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"contact lens." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-contactlens.html

"contact lens." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-contactlens.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

Lenses for colour vision deficiency and reading difficulties in optometric...
Magazine article from: Optometry Today; 4/10/2009
Lens sector gears up for BCLA showcase.(WHAT'S NEW ...)(British Contact Lens...
Magazine article from: Optometry Today; 5/6/2011
Lens solution makers need to account for 'human factors'.
Newspaper article from: Medical Device Daily; 6/12/2008
contact lens images
contact lens. (Image by ShutterStock)