Foundations of Ophthalmology

Chapter 1. Johannes Kepler and René Descartes: A Retinal Image is Transmitted to the Brain

Ronald S. Fishman, MD

 

Chapter 2. Jacques Daviel and the Invention of Modern Cataract Surgery

Daniel M. Albert, MD

 

Chapter 3. John Dalton: the Recognition of Color Deficiency

Michael F. Marmor, MD

 

Chapter 4. Thomas Young and the Foundations of Light, Color, and Optics

John W. Gittinger, Jr., MD

 

Chapter 5. Valentin Haüy and Louis Braille: Enabling Education for the Blind Alan R. Morse, JD, PhD



 

Chapter 6. Jan Evangelista Purkinje: Visual Physiologist

Gerald A. Fishman, MD and Marlene Fishman

 

Chapter 7. Franciscus Donders and the Management of Anomalies of Refraction

David Harper, MD

 

Chapter 8. Hermann von Helmholtz: The Power of Ophthalmoscopy

James G. Ravin, MD, MS

 

Chapter 9. Dr. Graefe Will See You Now.  The Beginnings of Scientific Ophthalmology and Education in the Middle of the Nineteenth Century

Steven A. Newman, M.D

 

Chapter 10. Karl Koller and the Introduction of Local Anesthesia

Ronald S. Fishman, MD

 

Chapter 11. Foundations of Ophthalmology: Great Insights That Established the Discipline

Allvar Gullstrand: Dioptrics of the Eye and the Slit Lamp

Richard Keeler

 

Chapter 12. Marie Curie:  Radiation as Medium That Can Cure

Jasmine H. Francis, MD

 

Chapter 13. Jules Gonin:  Proving the Cause and Cure of Retinal Detachment  



Chapter 14. Harold Ridley and the Development of a Plastic Implantable Lens

Curtis E. Margo, MD, MPH

 

Chapter 15. Oxygen and Retinopathy of Prematurity: The Insights of Arnall Patz and Norman Alston

Monte D. Mills and Graham E. Quinn

 

Chapter 16. Charles Kelman: Phacoemulsification and Small Incision Cataract Surgery

Norman B. Medow, MD

Michael F. Marmor, MD is a Professor of Ophthalmology at Stanford Medicine. His clinical focus is on medical retinal disease: in particular, retinal dystrophies, macular dystrophies, toxic retinopathy, disorders of retinal function such as night or color blindness, and unexplained visual loss. Dr. Marmor chaired the "Great Insights and Great Thinkers in Ophthalmology" session for the 6th year in a row in 2015.
Daniel M. Albert, MD is department chair and on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin Medical School where he is now chair emeritus of ophthalmology and visual sciences, the Frederick Allison Davis Chair; the Lorenz Zimmerman Professor; and founding director of the McPherson Eye Research Institute. There, he continues to study tumor growth and inhibition, the subject of his interest throughout his career. A prolific contributor to the medical literature, Dr. Albert has well beyond 800 publications to his credit, including peer-reviewed papers, editorials, textbooks and book chapters. A widely used general ophthalmology text, Principles and Practice of Ophthalmology, is now in its third edition, with Dr. Albert continuing as its senior editor. Notably, the book's original edition received the Association of American Publishers Best Medical Book award in 1993.
Beyond his outsized record of laboratory and clinical publications, Dr. Albert is a renowned ophthalmic historian, having published widely in the field, including texts that encompass the breadth of ophthalmic history. Dr. Albert has served as an editorial board member of nine scientific journals, most notable of which was his recently completed 20-year stint as editor-in-chief of Archives of Ophthalmology - newly re-named JAMA Ophthalmology. Dr. Albert also served as director of the American Board of Ophthalmology from 1997-2005 and as president of the American Ophthalmological Society from 2005-2006.

"It is written for anyone who is curious about the individuals who contributed to the foundations of ophthalmology. The authors are credible leaders in the field of ophthalmology. ... The authors have done a wonderful job of reminding us about the instrumental individuals who contributed to the early development of ophthalmology. It was enjoyable to learn about these men and women and how their insights have contributed to our knowledge about the eye." (Diana V. Do, Doody's Book Reviews, February, 2018)