Past away in 2022
Art had been a long time contributor to Review of Optometry, a member of its Editorial Advisory Board as well as founder and chief medical editor of the weekly e-newsletter Optometric Physician.
Past away in 2022
Dr. Albert Franceschetti, MD was passionate about contact lenses and the amazing opportunities they offered to his patients in Meyrin near Geneva, Switzerland. He was so much involved into contactology, he also served on several professional and organizational boards, as member as well as president, like the European Contact Lens Society in Ophthalmology ECLSO
Past away in 2022
John de Carle has an amazing history that few in the contact lens world are
truly aware of and he invented the first contact lenses designed for extended wear.
John was descended from the Huguenots who fled religious persecution in France in the
seventeenth century. His father was an accountant with the Mirror Group of newspapers and there
was no history of optics in the family. It was, however, his father that suggested a career in optics
and John qualified as an ophthalmic optician (optometrist) in 1945 from the Northampton
Polytechnical College, London.
March 1955 - March 2022
UAB School of Optometry Professor Emeritus William J. “Joe” Benjamin, OD, MS, PhD, has died. His life’s work positively impacted optometric education as well as the lives of many optometric professionals and patients.
During his tenure at the School of Optometry, Benjamin served as associate dean from 2013 to 2014 and interim chair of the Department of Optometry from 2011 to 2014. He was a senior scientist in the Vision Science Research Center from 1995 to 2014 and served as the director of the Clinical Eye Research Facility from 1996 to 2005.
May 1931 - April 2021
Remembered by the Contact Lens profession and industry as a visionary, leader and mentor.
Past away in 2021
Dr. Davis established one of the first contact lens specialty practices in the country and practiced optometry for almost three-quarters of a century, retiring recently after beginning practice in 1946. He graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry and founded Davis EyeCare in Oak Lawn, IL.
Past away in 2021
Erwin was an entrepreneur. He founded and ran one of the most important contact lens manufacturing plants in Argentina, Plastic Contact Lens, as well as the optical shop chain, Pupilent, which survives him. This is a great legacy to a huge number of opticians and contact lens fitters.
March 1937 - September 2020
Dr. Boucher has been in a private optometric practice in Laramie, Wyoming since 1966, specializing in cornea and contact lenses and general practice. He received his Doctor of Optometry degree from Southern College of Optometry and a Masters of Science Degree in physiological optics from Indiana University. He has two honorary degrees, Doctor of Ocular Science from New England College of Optometry and Southern College of Optometry.
June 1943 - March 2018
For many years after her husband Irv Fatt died Connie continued to attend ISCLS congresses on the Social side and was our first Web Master. Older members of the Society remember her with great fondness.
April 1952 - July 2017
He first became interested in contact lenses when a friend co-opted his astigmatic eyes as a contact lens case study. He has worn a variety of different types of lenses and specialised in contact lens fitting ever since.
July 1927 - February 2016
Heinz was an excellent expert in the field of contact lens optics, Professor at the college ( university) for Optometry, Cologne and editor of the DOZ ( German Journal of Optics and Optometry ).
November 1938 - January 2015
Around 1977 Michael was the chairman of the Association of Dispensing Opticians (ADO) Contact Lens Study Group. He worked with the leaders of the Contact Lens Society, the Association of Contact Lens Practitioners and the Medical Contact Lens Association to form the British Contact Lens Association, (BCLA) which brought together optometrists, ophthalmologists, contact lens opticians and manufacturers.
January 1924 - January 2015
Morrison had an unusual optical practice with 17 Royal families and many film stars and politicians included as patients. At one stage his was perhaps the largest practice in the US.
October 1923 - January 2015
He was a member of the British Optical Association, The National Eye Research Foundation, a member of the Medical Research Associates Advisory Panel, a Charter member of the American Optometric Association contact lens section, a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, an Honorary Member of the West Tennessee Optometric Association and was a member of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Colour and Honour Guard, Pope John Paul’s II assembly.
October 1940 - July 2013
Alan was a well known contact lens optician having his own practice at Sir Isaacs Walk, Colchester until 2011 and working at the Ipswich and Nuffield Hospitals for many years.
Past away in 2013
He graduated from the University of California School of Optometry and established a distinguished and multifaceted optometric career of 40 years, specializing in contact lens wear.
Past away in 2013
- 1952 joined the Northampton Institute to study Ophthalmic Optics
- 1955 National Service in Europe and Malaya, OO RAMC
- 1957 Northampton Poly pathology and CL practice
- Worked and taught in London, Newcastle, Denmark and Norway. Friend of Robert Fletcher
- 1962 Nottingham practice of Arthur Forknall
- Doctoral thesis on keratoconus
- Principal Optometrist at Moorfields and CL Dept
- Chaired GOC Professional Conduct Committee
- 1983-84 President, College of Ophthalmic Opticians
- 1987 Head of the Department of Optometry and Visual Science at City University
- Keratoconus and topography research
- 1999 Emeritus Professor
- “An art which became a science”
August 1923 - December 2012
- Born New York City
- Civil engineering at University of Maryland before U.S. Army 1943-1946.
- Graduated Pennsylvania College of Optometry
- Founder of Omni Lens Corporation, Micro-Vent Corporation, Plymouth Laboratories, and Forty Fort Eye Associates 1949.
- Numerous articles and fitting manuals on contact lenses and wrote a book on “Optics” whilst still an optometry student.
- Served as a visiting clinical instructor at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry.
- Held numerous U.S. and foreign patents on the finishing processes of RGP lenses. 1st 40 yrs ago today
- Member AOA, AAO, NERF and the National Society for Scientists and Inventors.
December 1923 - October 2012
- Graduated Osaka MD 1944
- Doctor of Medical Science 1952
- Met first contact lens 1946
- First contact lens clinic Japan 1957 expanded to 7 now 4
- Ass Prof Osaka University 1971
- Clinical Prof Louisiana State Uni 1981
- Founding member Int CL Council of Ophthal Sec Gen from 1978
- Hon Life Member ISCLR. Ruben Medal 1993
- Co-operated with Monty Ruben Moorfields
- BCLA Medal 2002. Many other awards
- CL researcher for over 50 years Oxygen tension under CL, corneal mitosis, Phenol Red Thread test, tear analysis
- Over 250 papers and 3 books
July 1927 - September 2012
- Born Aberdeen Qualified 1954 Aberdeen
- 1963-67 Consultant to Obrig UK started Harley Street practice
- 1965 1st Hon Sec Medical Contact Lens Association – supporter Contact lens Society
- Consultant St Georges Hosp
- 1970 Croydon Eye Unit- Chris Kerr
- 1970s terminology 3&9, Dellen, Neuropathic Keratitis
- UK investigator of CSI lenses 1974
- 1984 2nd George Nissel Memorial Lecture
- 1993 Medical Contact Lens Practice. A Systematic Approach
- 1999 Botox Eyes – Kylie Minogue
- Antiques
February 2017 - August 2012
- Born in Winnipeg Canada
- By 1948 fitting artificial eyes and glass contact lenses, first female western Canada
- Served patients from Thunder Bay to Alberta
- 1 of 2 female opticians when licensing introduced 1953
- Consummate Professional
- Smoked like a furnace
March 1933 - June 2012
- Born Perth
- Diploma in Optometry1955
- Worked with Pen Thomas 1972-77
- Divisional manager at International Optical Corp. Ltd. Sydney 1975
- 1987 Co-founded Capricornia Contact Lens Lab South Brisbane with Steve Newman
- Pioneering work in software for lens design and lathing
- Ultravision SA Toric Multifocal
- BE & KATT lenses
February 1926 - April 2012
- Started CL fitting late 1940s
- Long term lecturer Aston Uni
- Scleral lens fitted until 81
- Supervised first PhD soft lenses
- Contact lens historian
- Life Fellowship of the College of Optometrists in 2005
- July 2008 MBE
- Collected medals and clocks
- Eye Hospital clinic
June 1915 - April 2012
- Born in Berkeley
- Graduated UCSP
- With Clifford Barnes founded Barnes-Hind Pharmaceutical Laboratories
- Acquired by Revlon Corp
- Produced contact lens solutions Transol and Transoak
- Produced one of the first pharmacological treatments for tuberculosis
- Jack O’Neill – neoprene for wetsuits
- Lidoderm for delivering pain relief approved by the FDA 1999
- Established two professorships at the UC School of Pharmacy
- 1996 W-J bought Pilkington BH to form W-JPBH
February 1928 - April 2012
- Born Ashburton New Zealand
- Qualified 1952
- Son of optom, son also optom
- Founding member of the NZ Contact Lens Society 1958
- First purpose built medical centre in NZ 1965 3 GPs 2 optoms + staff
- Bought Corneal Lens Corporation (CLC) from Pen F Thomas in 1971
- Largest lab in NZ
- Honorary fellow NZ Contact Lens Society in 1999
April 1916 - February 2012
- Graduate of DePaul University Law School 1938
- Former Military Judge in Stuttgart, Germany
- Fitted by Adolf Müller-Welt
- 1948 agreement with Müller-Welt
- Founded Breger Müller-Welt Chicago
- Acquired Becker Silicone Patent
- Patents thinner lenses, MF & Si ports
- 1993 CLMA Dr Josef Dallos Award
Past away in 2012
- 1957 started career with Plastic Contact Lens Company
- Founded Contex 1962 California
- Developed OK3 and Contex E reverse geometry lens designs
- FDA approval 2004 of overnight Ortho k
- Excellence in Orthokeratology Award from the Orthokeratology Academy of America, the Creative Design and Process Award from the Contact Lens Manufacturers Association 2006
- 2010 Founder’s Award from the American Academy of Optometry
- Nick Stoyan Memorial Orthokeratology Grant
Past away in 2012
- Born Norfolk Virginia
- 1958 fitted Hank Foiles the first baseball big leaguer to wear contacts in a game.
- 1957 founded Conforma sold to Dow Corning in 1977
- Fitted Ronald Reagan 1980s
- Formed GBF Inc. 1983, sold in 2003.
- First president and a founder of the Contact Lens Manufacturers Association (CLMA) 1961
- Biomicroscopy for Contact Lens Practice 1970
- Past president of the Virginia Optometric Association,
- Member of the British Contact Lens Association
- Fellow of the Contact Lens Section of the AOA
- Diplomate of the American Academy of Optometry’s Contact Lens Section
- 1998 the Pioneer Award from the AOA’s Contact Lens and Cornea Section
Past away in 2012
- Born in Philadelphia
- Graduated Northern Illinois College of Optometry 1934
- Taught there for 65 years
- WroteClinicalRefraction,1949
- Authored more than 80 articles and nine textbooks
- Awarded eight honorary degrees and over sixty honours from U.S. and international organizations
- Created the Borish Award of The American Academy of Optometry, and The Borish Centre at Indiana University.
August 1922 - July 2011
He attended ISCLS meetings from 1966 to 2000 and he was the first to be awarded Distinguished Service Member s hip of the society . He was also as we all know an amazing pioneer and exponent of Ortho_K .
Past away in 2011
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.
April 2036 - November 2010
David Evershed-Martin who died recently at the age of 74 was a long standing member of the ISCLS. His father before him was one of the (near) original founders and introduced David to the Society at an early age. He also held the Herschel medal—which is the Society’s highest honour.
Brought up in Chichester in West Sussex where his Father was active on the local Council and became Mayor, David nevertheless decided after qualifying that London should be his patch and he worked for many years out of a lovely house in Upper Berkeley Street behind Marble Arch.
February 1936 - October 2007
His vision of contact lenses had been his abiding interest. He used his energy, his resourcefulness and his scientific knowledge to further contact lens research.
Past away in 1996
The work Fatt did was the genesis for decades of seminal corneal and contact lens research. Fatt’s expertise was critical in designing the first corneal deswelling studies in humans and he is perhaps best known for the development of the oxygen sensor (1976), which allowed for the first measurement of oxygen permeability of a contact lens.