A Chronology of Disposable Lenses

  • 1982

    1982 – Danalens, the first disposable contact lens is launched in Denmark.

  • 1988

    1988 – Acuvue lenses are launched in the UK by Johnson & Johnson for both daily wear (fortnightly replacement) and extended wear (weekly replacement).

  • 1989

    1989 – SeeQuence lenses are produced by Bausch & Lomb with a design based on their ultrathin U4 Series. Lenses are packaged for either weekly or monthly replacement. The earliest lenses have powers indicated with a letter code: later packaging states the numerical prescription.

  • 1989

    1989 – Pilkington introduce the Calender lens for monthly replacement. It is based on the 78% water content Permaflex. This is superseded by the Precision UV, based on the same lens design, with the first introduction of an ultraviolet filter.

  • 1995

    1995 – Daily disposable lenses are made available by Award, a Scottish company. This is subsequently bought by Bausch & Lomb and relaunched as the Soflens One Day.

  • 1996

    1996 – Johnson & Johnson introduce 1 Day Acuvue daily disposables. They initially have a 9.00 mm fitting which is supplemented by 8.50 mm lenses in 1997.

  • 1997

    1997 – CibaVision launch their Focus Dailies.

  • 1998

    1998 – Bausch & Lomb introduce the first monthly disposable multifocal, Occasions.

  • 1999

    1999 – CibaVision introduce the Focus toric for monthly replacement.

  • 1999

    1999 – Wesley-Jessen introduce the Freshlook toric for monthly replacement.

  • 1999

    1999 – Silicone hydrogels are introduced as Purevision by Bausch & Lomb and Night & Day by CibaVision.