Dr. Paul Rose, inventor of the Rose K lens for keratoconus, has been named as the first-ever recipient of the British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) Industry Award. Launched to honour and recognize the entrepreneurial work being carried out by individuals working in contact lens science, research and technology, the 2014 BCLA Industry Award was bestowed on New Zealander, Paul Rose, during the BCLA’s annual Gala Dinner and Awards on June 6.

Paul Rose began development on the Rose K keratoconus lens in 1989. After going through testing 700 lenses and 12 different designs, he came up with a set of 26 lenses from which all patients could be fitted. A further two years was spent in a development stage to perfect the lens design. The Rose K lens was then launched in the New Zealand market. In 1995 the U.S. FDA gave approval for the Rose K lens to be marketed in the United States. The Rose K lens is now manufactured and distributed in many countries throughout the world.

Photo credits: BCLA Official webpage