George Jessen
Encyclopedia
George Jessen was an optometrist who was an early pioneer of the contact lens
. He is credited with being on of the first to employ the concept of orthokeratology
, a direct attempt to reduce refractive error
with the use of a contact lens, under the term orthofocus.
Jessen received his training at the Chicago College of Optometry, now called the Illinois College of Optometry
. In 1976, the Contact Lens Manufacturers Association awarded him the The Dr. Josef Dallos Award for "outstanding contribution to the development and advancement of the contact lens industry and for service to humanity".
Jessen worked closely with his mentor, Newton K. Wesley
, and in 1978 the two won Food and Drug Administration
approval of their hydrogel soft contact lenses. Together they founded the Wesley-Jessen Corporation as well as the National Eye Research Foundation, which presents the Dr. George N. Jessen Award for Clinical Excellence each year at its annual meeting. Wesley-Jessen was acquired by CIBA Vision by 2001.
Contact lens
A contact lens, or simply contact, is a lens placed on the eye. They are considered medical devices and can be worn to correct vision, for cosmetic or therapeutic reasons. In 2004, it was estimated that 125 million people use contact lenses worldwide, including 28 to 38 million in the United...
. He is credited with being on of the first to employ the concept of orthokeratology
Orthokeratology
Orthokeratology , marketed under brand names like "", "MiracLens", "DreamLens", "i-GO OVC", "GOV", "Wake and See", "CRT" and "Emerald", is the use of rigid gas-permeable contact lenses, normally worn only at night, to improve vision through the reshaping of the cornea...
, a direct attempt to reduce refractive error
Refractive error
A refractive error, or refraction error, is an error in the focusing of light by the eye and a frequent reason for reduced visual acuity.-Classification:...
with the use of a contact lens, under the term orthofocus.
Jessen received his training at the Chicago College of Optometry, now called the Illinois College of Optometry
Illinois College of Optometry
The Illinois College of Optometry is a 4-year private optometry college located in the city of Chicago, Illinois. Graduating approximately 160 optometrists a year, it is the largest optometry college in the United States and is the oldest continually operating educational facility dedicated solely...
. In 1976, the Contact Lens Manufacturers Association awarded him the The Dr. Josef Dallos Award for "outstanding contribution to the development and advancement of the contact lens industry and for service to humanity".
Jessen worked closely with his mentor, Newton K. Wesley
Newton K. Wesley
Newton K. Wesley was an optometrist and an early pioneer of the contact lens. Wesley was a partner with George Jessen in the development and advancement of contact lens. Together they founded the Wesley-Jessen Corporation as well as the National Eye Research Foundation...
, and in 1978 the two won Food and Drug Administration
Food and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments...
approval of their hydrogel soft contact lenses. Together they founded the Wesley-Jessen Corporation as well as the National Eye Research Foundation, which presents the Dr. George N. Jessen Award for Clinical Excellence each year at its annual meeting. Wesley-Jessen was acquired by CIBA Vision by 2001.