West End news: Blue Plaque honour for Hungarian contact lens pioneer Josef Dallos

Published: 5 February 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

FOR those still scarred by playground taunts of “speccy four eyes”, the humble contact lens marks the zenith of 20th century medical achievement.
But for others, the daily performance of pinning open gummed-up eyelids and inserting a waxy slither of perspex is enough to send them running to the laser booth.
The man behind this country’s first contact lens fitting practice is to be honoured with a blue plaque outside his former consulting rooms in Cavendish Square, Marylebone.
Hungarian-born Josef Dallos began working as an ophthalmologist in the 1920s, becoming the first person to take moulds from a living eye. He used these impressions to create wearable contact lenses that laid the foundations for modern day lenses.
With the help of his brother-in-law George Nissel he set up a laboratory, allowing the pair to manufacture lenses that, among other uses, were given to servicemen, previously out of action, to fight in the Second World War.
Later the pair became well known for special effects lenses, creating a cottage industry around film sets, which saw them supply eyes to Batman, as well as stars in the Wind in the Willows and the Day of the Triffids. The frightening eyes of the Tyrannosaurus Rex at the National History Museum, and many beady eyes in Madame Tussauds were also the handiwork of Messrs Dallos and Nissel.
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists is sponsoring the plaque, which is due to be unveiled in June.
Tim Bowden, who describes himself as a “contact lens anorak”, has written a book on the subject, Contact Lenses: The Story. He described Mr Dallos as a “pioneer”.
“It is not an exaggeration to say that Josef Dallos was the founding father of the modern contact lens.” said Mr Bowden. 
“He was the first person to look at the lens from the eye’s point of view. 
“Before he came along, they were either too uncomfortable to wear or not good enough to see. 
“During his career the contact lens started to become available to the masses, from being something only the extremely wealthy could afford. 
“Although he was recognised even at the start of his career, he was a very quiet man, and didn’t really seek praise.” 
He added: “The plaque is a fitting way to honour all that he has done for opthalmology and for modern contact lenses.”