George Jessen

Who is George Jessen?

George Jessen was an optometrist who was an early pioneer of the contact lens. He is credited with being one 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.