草稿:Hirstlens

Hirstlens is a New Zealand-based contact lens manufacturing company, formerly known as Hirst Contact Lens Ltd. Founded by Eugene Hirst, the company was a pioneer in the New Zealand contact lens industry. In the mid-20th century, Hirst Contact Lens introduced several innovations in lens design and material application, significantly impacting the development of the optics industry in the Asia-Pacific region.

Historical Development

Founder's Background

In 1939, Eugene Hirst (born in Czechoslovakia) and his wife Jana fled to New Zealand to escape Nazi persecution. They settled in Auckland, where Eugene initially worked as a dental technician. His expertise in dental plastics quickly drew the attention of his peers, who invited him to attempt manufacturing contact lenses for patients with keratoconus. At a time when contact lenses were typically made from glass, Hirst innovatively used polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA, also known as Perspex) to create New Zealand's first plastic haptic lens. He adapted dental impression techniques to accurately mold the patient's eye for lens fabrication.

Early Development (1940s)

During the 1940s, Hirst served as manager of Prosthetic Processes Ltd in Auckland. There, he began developing haptic lenses, which were approximately 35mm in diameter and covered the entire visible eye. To improve wearer comfort, he pioneered the use of a lathe for finely grinding the lenses, making their contours more closely match the curvature of the eye's anterior surface. This manufacturing process is considered an early foundational practice in modern rigid contact lens production.

Technological Breakthroughs (1960s)

In 1964, Eugene Hirst collaborated with ophthalmologist David Volk to develop the Con-O-Coid series of lenses. These lenses were designed to mimic the natural curvature of the corneal anterior surface, significantly improving the fit between the lens and the cornea. Hirst Contact Lens secured exclusive global manufacturing rights for the Con-O-Coid lenses outside of the United States and Canada.

In 1966, Hirst returned to Czechoslovakia and obtained HEMA (hydroxyethyl methacrylate) material and a production license from Dr. Otto Wichterle, the inventor of soft contact lens material. He brought this back to New Zealand to begin experimental production of soft lenses. According to John Shennan, former general manager of Hirstlens, early HEMA material had limited purity. However, as the technology improved, Hirstlens began exporting soft lens products to international companies like Hoya in Japan and Hydron in the United Kingdom.

Corporate Legacy and Heritage

According to oral history records from the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) in Auckland, John Shennan recalls that Eugene Hirst personally traveled throughout New Zealand in the company's early days, fitting patients before returning to Auckland to fabricate the lenses. Shennan described Hirst as possessing both exceptional business acumen and technical skill, qualities that were central to the company's innovative capabilities.

In 2016, the current director of Hirstlens Ltd, Roger Linn donated the first and second-generation Hirstlens manufacturing equipment and related archival materials to MOTAT, commemorating Eugene Hirst's contributions to New Zealand's ophthalmic optics industry.

Impact

Eugene Hirst is widely regarded as one of the founders of the contact lens industry in New Zealand. He pioneered the application of dental molding techniques to corneal lens production, introduced soft lens materials, and continuously explored innovations in lens geometric design. Hirstlens not only advanced the local contact lens manufacturing sector but also provided significant contributions to the evolution of optometric technology worldwide. Its technical legacy is now preserved at MOTAT, serving as exhibits and research materials that continue to influence new generations of optical engineers and clinical specialists.

References:

Bennett, A. G. (1988). ‘Aspherical and continuous curve contact lenses. Appendix: A tribute to the pioneers.’ Optometry today (November 1988), pp. 630–632.

Bowden, T. and Gasson, A. (2006). Overseas contact lens pioneers. London: British Contact Lens Association. Retrieved from http://libserv.aco.org.au/firstopac/attachments/10479/9488OverseasPioneerslarge3.pdf

Hirst Contact Lens Limited. (1960s). The development and fitting of Con-O-Coid mico corneal menses. Auckland: Hirst Contact Lens Limited.

HirstLens (NZ) Limited. (1990s). Contact lens excellence. Auckland: HirstLens (NZ) Limited.

Robinson, Y. (n.d.). Eugene Hirst. Retrieved from: https://www.holocaustcentre.org.nz/uploads/1/2/2/4/122437058/eugene_hirst_2.pdf

Sabiston, D. (Compiler). (2007). History of the New Zealand contact lens society 1958–2007. Hamilton: Cornea & Contact Lens Society of New Zealand Incorporated.

Shennan, J. and Hutching, M. (2018). MOTAT collection talks: Oral history interview with John Shennan. Ref: WAV-2018–6, Walsh Memorial Library, Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT)