William Feinbloom

{{short description|American optometrist}}

William Feinbloom (born Brooklyn 1904, died 1985) was an American optometrist considered to be a pioneer in the field of low vision, visual rehabilitation, and the development of low vision devices.{{cite journal|last=Murphy|first=Rob|date=Dec 1999|title=Most Influential O.D.s|journal=Review of Optometry|url=http://www.revoptom.com/archive/issue/ro1299f3.htm#feinbloom}}{{cite book|last=Holmes-Walker|first=William A.|title=Life-enhancing Plastics|publisher=Imperial College Press|date=2004|isbn=1-86094-462-0|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=taCXL1qkBe4C&dq=feinbloom+contact++lens+history&pg=PA78|page=78}}

In 1936, he introduced a glass-plastic design contact lens, making them lighter and more convenient than the existing glass-blown lenses.Robert B. Mandell. Contact Lens Practice, 4th Edition. Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, IL, 1988.{{US patent|2196066}}

The Southern California College of Optometry makes an annual award in Feinbloom's name for a student showing outstanding clinical patient care.[http://www.scco.edu/admissions/GradStudent%20Awards06.htm Graduating Student Awards], Southern California College of Optometry

The Pennsylvania College of Optometry's clinic, The Eye Institute, operates the William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center.