Newton K. Wesley
Encyclopedia
Newton K. Wesley (October 1, 1917-July 21, 2011) 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. Wesley-Jessen was acquired by Schering Plough in 1980 then and CIBA Vision by 2001.
Born Newton Uyesugi to Japanese-immigrant parents in Westport, Oregon
, Dr. Wesley thrived in school and managed to graduate from high school at 16. By 22, he had an optometry practice in Portland, Oregon
. He had also begun to operate his alma mater, what is known now as Pacific University
College of Optometry.
In the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago Dr. Wesley began researching a solution to his vision problems. The optometrist suffered from keratoconus, a degenerative disease of the cornea that affects vision, and had been told by experts that he'd likely lose his sight. He knew that contact lenses helped him see, but the lenses available in the 1940s couldn't be worn for long periods. So Dr. Wesley and his partner, George Jessen, began to research and develop a new type.
Wesley and Jessen eventually developed the plastic lenses known as rigid contact lenses. The lens fit over just the cornea, unlike its predecessor, which also rested on the sclera
(the white area), said Neil Hodur, a professor at the Illinois College of Optometry
and a colleague and friend of Dr. Wesley's. The end product was lenses that were smaller, thinner and longer-wearing, said Alfred Rosenbloom, a former dean and president of the Illinois College of Optometry.
In 1946, Dr. Wesley and Jessen formed the Plastic Contact Lens Co., which later became Wesley-Jessen Inc. It was acquired by 2001 by Ciba Vision. Dr. Wesley's company began to manufacture and distribute the new, more comfortable lens, though it took an aggressive marketing campaign to convince the 1950s public that placing the lens in the eye was safe, Hodur said. He also founded the now defunct National Eye Research Foundation.
Dr. Wesley, known for his bushy sideburns, toured the country marketing and promoting the lenses to eye care professionals, celebrities like Phyllis Diller and television audiences — who were wowed by his model, Leo, the contact-wearing rabbit. The optometrist traveled so often that he learned to pilot a plane that took off from Meigs Field. Dr. Wesley's family also says that in the 1950s, he campaigned to get "contact lens" into the dictionary.
in Indiana, then settled in Chicago. When his family was released from the camp at the end of the war, they joined him in Uptown.
Dr. Wesley, 93, died of congestive heart failure on Thursday, July 21, at the Stephenson Nursing Center in Freeport, Ill. Dr. Wesley is survived by his wife, Sandra; three daughters, Shona, Justine and Jenna Williams; four sons, Roy, Morgan, Taylor and Newton Lee; five grandchildren; and three great-grand children.
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...
. Wesley was a partner with George Jessen
George Jessen
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...
in the development and advancement of contact lens. Together they founded the Wesley-Jessen Corporation as well as the National Eye Research Foundation. Wesley-Jessen was acquired by Schering Plough in 1980 then and CIBA Vision by 2001.
Career
Working in an Uptown basement, Dr. Newton K. Wesley helped craft a solution to his deteriorating vision: Comfortable contact lenses that could be worn for long periods. Considered a pioneer in the contact lens industry, the Chicago-based Dr. Wesley went on to become one of the leading developers and manufacturers of contact lenses, paving the way for the modern contacts we know today.Born Newton Uyesugi to Japanese-immigrant parents in Westport, Oregon
Westport, Oregon
Westport is an unincorporated community on the Columbia River in Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Westport is connected to Cathlamet, Washington across the river via the Wahkiakum County Ferry to Puget Island. U.S...
, Dr. Wesley thrived in school and managed to graduate from high school at 16. By 22, he had an optometry practice in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
. He had also begun to operate his alma mater, what is known now as Pacific University
Pacific University
Pacific University is a private university located in Oregon, United States. The first campus began more than 160 years ago and is located about 38 km west of Portland in Forest Grove...
College of Optometry.
In the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago Dr. Wesley began researching a solution to his vision problems. The optometrist suffered from keratoconus, a degenerative disease of the cornea that affects vision, and had been told by experts that he'd likely lose his sight. He knew that contact lenses helped him see, but the lenses available in the 1940s couldn't be worn for long periods. So Dr. Wesley and his partner, George Jessen, began to research and develop a new type.
Wesley and Jessen eventually developed the plastic lenses known as rigid contact lenses. The lens fit over just the cornea, unlike its predecessor, which also rested on the sclera
Sclera
The sclera , also known as the white or white of the eye, is the opaque , fibrous, protective, outer layer of the eye containing collagen and elastic fiber. In the development of the embryo, the sclera is derived from the neural crest...
(the white area), said Neil Hodur, a professor at 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...
and a colleague and friend of Dr. Wesley's. The end product was lenses that were smaller, thinner and longer-wearing, said Alfred Rosenbloom, a former dean and president of the Illinois College of Optometry.
In 1946, Dr. Wesley and Jessen formed the Plastic Contact Lens Co., which later became Wesley-Jessen Inc. It was acquired by 2001 by Ciba Vision. Dr. Wesley's company began to manufacture and distribute the new, more comfortable lens, though it took an aggressive marketing campaign to convince the 1950s public that placing the lens in the eye was safe, Hodur said. He also founded the now defunct National Eye Research Foundation.
Dr. Wesley, known for his bushy sideburns, toured the country marketing and promoting the lenses to eye care professionals, celebrities like Phyllis Diller and television audiences — who were wowed by his model, Leo, the contact-wearing rabbit. The optometrist traveled so often that he learned to pilot a plane that took off from Meigs Field. Dr. Wesley's family also says that in the 1950s, he campaigned to get "contact lens" into the dictionary.
Personal Life
In 1942, a year after he married the late Cecilia Sasaki Wesley, the optometrist and his family — including two young children — were sent to the Minidoka War Relocation Center in Idaho. Dr. Wesley, who for business purposes Anglicized his name to what he thought sounded similar to his Japanese last name, was able to receive permission to leave the camp — though his family stayed. The optometrist moved to the Midwest and attended Earlham CollegeEarlham College
Earlham College is a liberal arts college in Richmond, Indiana. It was founded in 1847 by Quakers and has approximately 1,200 students.The president is John David Dawson...
in Indiana, then settled in Chicago. When his family was released from the camp at the end of the war, they joined him in Uptown.
Dr. Wesley, 93, died of congestive heart failure on Thursday, July 21, at the Stephenson Nursing Center in Freeport, Ill. Dr. Wesley is survived by his wife, Sandra; three daughters, Shona, Justine and Jenna Williams; four sons, Roy, Morgan, Taylor and Newton Lee; five grandchildren; and three great-grand children.