Corneal Lens Corporation is New Zealand's largest contact lens manufacturer, based in Christchurch and specialising in contact lenses since 1972. The company makes custom RGPs, scleral lenses, Ortho-K lenses and soft lenses, supplying practitioners throughout New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Hong Kong and Singapore.
The business traces back to April 18, 1971, when its first lenses were made in Christchurch after Ed Curtis purchased the operation from Penhryn F Thomas of Australia, having transferred the lab from Wellington. Ed's son Graeme Curtis has owned the company since 2001, and it now operates from a purpose-built manufacturing facility in Wigram, Christchurch, completed in late 2013 — one of the most modern contact lens laboratories in Australasia.
Every lens is made in a humidity and temperature-controlled laboratory using the latest DAC ALM lathe, and each one is laser engraved for tracking purposes. Corneal Lens Corporation has implemented ISO certified management systems since 1995 and maintains certification to the ISO 13485:2016 standard. A key part of the operation is the sMap 3D, a fluorescence-based structured light topographer with more than 22mm range and 360-degree scleral coverage, offering 10-micron precision and up to 1 million measure points to map the cornea and sclera for patients with complex corneas, advanced keratoconus or post corneal grafts.
Beyond manufacturing, the company distributes dry eye products, contact lens solutions, disposable contact lenses and Ortho-K lenses from brands including EyeSpace, VTI (NaturalVue), Brighten Optix, TheraTears, Heyedrate, Ophtecs, Evolve and Menicon. Corneal Lens Corporation markets its products directly to practitioners rather than consumers.
In Wigram, Christchurch, Corneal Lens Corporation runs one of the most modern contact lens laboratories in Australasia, manufacturing custom RGPs, scleral lenses, Ortho-K lenses and soft lenses for optometrists across New Zealand and beyond.
The company's story starts on April 18, 1971, when its first lenses were made in Christchurch after Ed Curtis purchased the operation from Penhryn F Thomas of Australia, transferring the lab over from Wellington in 1972. Ed's son Graeme Curtis has owned and run the business since 2001, overseeing its growth into a purpose-built manufacturing facility in Wigram, completed in late 2013.
Every lens produced by Corneal Lens Corporation is made in a humidity and temperature-controlled laboratory, using the latest DAC ALM lathe and an ALM multi-tooling system with robotic loading and laser technology, producing submicron-quality lenses. Each lens is laser engraved for tracking. The company has held ISO certified management systems since 1995, and maintains certification to the ISO 13485:2016 standard.
A standout piece of technology is the sMap 3D, a fluorescence-based structured light topographer with more than 22mm range and 360-degree scleral coverage. With 10-micron precision and up to one million measure points, it can map the cornea and sclera in detail — much like a fingerprint, no two are the same. That level of mapping means patients with complex corneas, advanced keratoconus, or those who've had post corneal grafts, can now get an optimal, freeform lens fit.
Alongside its own manufacturing, Corneal Lens Corporation distributes a wide range of dry eye products, contact lens solutions, disposable contact lenses and Ortho-K products. Its brand partners include EyeSpace, VTI (NaturalVue), Brighten Optix, TheraTears, Heyedrate, Ophtecs, Evolve and Menicon — covering everything from lens care solutions to eye nutrition supplements like Macushield.
Despite its Christchurch roots, Corneal Lens Corporation supplies practitioners well beyond New Zealand, reaching Australia, South Africa, Hong Kong and Singapore. The company markets its products directly to eye care practitioners rather than consumers, with registered practitioners able to apply for full access to its products and services.
Corneal Lens Corporation can be reached by phone on 0800 954 536, with its manufacturing base located in Wigram, Christchurch, New Zealand.