The Rose K family of lenses were invented by Paul Rose, an optometrist from Hamilton, New Zealand. Paul was concerned about what could be done for patients with keratoconus, a progressive condition in which the surface of the cornea becomes cone-shaped. Realising that the problem with traditional contact lenses was that they did not fit unusual corneal shapes or mimic the eye shape well, he sought to develop a contact lens that would be more comfortable for patients, be easier to fit and provide better vision to those with the condition. Paul Rose began developing the Rose K keratoconus lens in 1989. After testing 700 lenses and 12 different designs, he produced a set of 26 lenses from which all patients could be fitted. A further two years were spent to perfect the lens design before it was launched in the New Zealand market. In 1995, the Rose K lens gained approval from the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) of America.

Since then, advances in technology have resulted in the introduction of the Rose K2 lens, the Rose K2 Irregular Cornea (IC) lens, the Rose K2 Post Graft (PG) lens, and the Rose K2 NC lens for nipple cones designed for patients with specific conditions. These conditions include pellucid marginal degeneration, keratoglobus, LASIK-induced ectasia and patients who have undergone penetrating keratoplasty.

Rose K lenses are now manufactured in 15 countries, distributed in over 85 countries and have become the most frequently prescribed lenses for keratoconus in the world.