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".McQueen, Adrienn "Orthokeratology" Eyewitness No. 4 2003] Jessen received his training at the Chicago College of Optometry, now called the Illinois College of Optometry. In 1976, the Contact Lens Manufacturing Association awarded him the "The Dr. Joseph Dallos Award" for "outstanding contribution to the development and advancement of the contact lens industry and for service to humanity". [ [http://www.clma.net/annual-awards.htm History of CLMA Awards] ] Jessen worked closely with his mentor, Newton K. Wesley, and in 1978 the two won Food and Drug Administration approval of their hyrdogel 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.

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