Rose K Inventor Receives Prestigious Honor for Contributions to Optometry

NAGOYA, Japan – February 6, 2017 – Mr. Paul Rose, Dip Opt, B Sc., FCCLSNZ, inventor of the Rose K brand of contact lenses for irregular cornea, is to become a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM), it was announced in early January. Rose’s appointment is in recognition of his contributions to the fields of ophthalmology and optometry. The award is one of the highest honors bestowed on individuals in New Zealand distinguished for their services and contributions.

Paul Rose started his optometry practice in Hamilton, New Zealand in 1969, and through his experience over many years of treating patients with keratoconus, a condition in which the cornea becomes cone-shaped, he was able to develop his Rose K lens design and fitting system which made it much easier to treat this difficult condition. Thanks to the unique design and the simplicity of fitting, even relatively inexperienced doctors can treat keratoconic patients with excellent results.

 “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine it would take me where it has,” said Rose, who frequently tours around the world lecturing and teaching doctors how to fit Rose K lenses, which are now available in more than 90 countries. Rose hadn’t originally set out to create such a revolutionary system, noting that when he started, “there were very few people who did it [keratoconus lens fitting]. I just wanted to make it easier.”

Contact lens manufacturer Menicon Co., Ltd. purchased the Rose K brand in 2008 and has continued to work closely with Mr. Rose to further promote the lenses worldwide. Menicon’s Overseas Division Executive Officer Hideki Koga said, “we at Menicon have always supported Paul Rose’s vision for the Rose K brand and improving quality of life for patients with irregular cornea diseases and we wholeheartedly congratulate him on his well-deserved honor.”

About Menicon

Headquartered in Nagoya, Japan, and represented in over 80 countries, Menicon Co., Ltd. is dedicated to every aspect of the field from material development and lens design to manufacturing of lenses and lens care solutions. Menicon offers an expanding portfolio of innovative lenses, packaging and related products that maximize user comfort and convenience. The company is also the world's largest producer of gas-permeable contact lenses.

For more information, visit menicon.com or contact Yoko Kido: presscontact@menicon-net.co.jp