Welcome back to Made in Czechia, a series uncovering remarkable contributions from the Czech Republic that have left a global mark. This time, we’re focusing on a medical innovation that millions of people rely on daily: soft contact lenses.

The story of soft contact lenses begins in the 1960s with Otto Wichterle, a brilliant Czech scientist and chemist. Wichterle was driven by a vision to improve vision care for people around the world. He believed that rigid, uncomfortable contact lenses were not the solution. His groundbreaking work led to the invention of the first soft, hydrogel contact lenses, revolutionizing the field of optometry.

Wichterle developed the first soft lenses using a hydrogel material that allowed oxygen to pass through to the eye. That made the lenses much more comfortable than the rigid lenses available at the time. Using a homemade device built from a children’s toy set, a bicycle dynamo, and a motor, Wichterle crafted the first soft lenses right at his kitchen table.

After successful trials, Wichterle’s invention quickly attracted attention, and eventually, soft contact lenses became the industry standard worldwide.

Stay tuned for more Made in Czechia stories about Czech inventions and discoveries!