FREE

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Join Roy Wesley for a conversation around Invisible Vision, which tells the story of his father, Dr. Newton K. Wesley, who was an American contact lens pioneer. He will be in conversation around Dr. Newton K. Wesley’s impact on Roy’s own life as well as the field of optometry.

This program is supported by the Asian American Optometric Society.

We are thankful for the generosity of our members and audiences whose support allows us to continue to provide free and accessible programming. Please use the “additional donation” option when reserving tickets to donate what you can or become a member today by visiting janm.org/membership

ABOUT THE BOOK:
As recently as 1940, contact lenses did not exist for Americans. Invisible Vision is the hidden story of the man who brought them into existence, trained doctors and opticians to fit them, and developed the country's largest contact lens manufacturing company that started the industry. Despite these accomplishments, few people know his name or background. The surprising and inspiring life of Dr. Newton K. Wesley-born to Japanese immigrant parents who arrived at the turn of the 19th century, and eventually rising to create the US contact lens market-is a story of survival and flourishing against the odds.

Dr. Wesley gives hope to those starting life and businesses from nothing as someone who earned success in the face of loss: he was a US Citizen who lost everything in WWII, even his wife and two children who were incarcerated in Japanese American war camps, while he remained free to start a new life and career. His tale is one of perseverance with a big payoff.