About this ebook
With in-depth historical context, technical evolution, and regional variations, the book traces how these essential diagnostic tools advanced from rudimentary glass and mirror assemblies to sophisticated refracting and indirect models. Featured is a comprehensive index of named ophthalmoscopes and a dedicated section on historical illumination techniques, making it an indispensable scholarly resource.
As the first in a two-part series, this volume lays the foundation for an upcoming companion focused on the electrified evolution of the ophthalmoscope.
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About the author
Born Sept. 1937.
It would be no exaggeration to say that I have spent my
whole life associated with ophthalmology and ophthalmic
instruments.
I remember as a boy watching the assembly of ophthalmoscopes
in the Keeler factory which was located within
the grounds of the family home. I joined the Keeler family
business in 1959 and spent the next 38 years learning all
about ophthalmic instruments and running the business. I
was a founding member of the Microsurgery Study Group
and contributed to the early development of the ophthalmic
surgical microscope.
With my father we set up a Trust to celebrate the golden anniversary of the
company in 1967. This trust is now awarding bi-annual Fellowships of £30,000. The
UK College honoured me by making me a Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
On retirement in 1997 I was offered the Honorary Curatorship of the Royal College
of Ophthalmologists. This was the start of my second career. I set up a museum of
ophthalmological artefacts. In 2007 I was made an Honorary Fellow of the College
of Optometrists. I was also appointed Honorary Archivist for the Moorfields Alumni
Association.
I have written numerous articles, chapters and several books on the subject of the
history of ophthalmology.
I have given three named lectures The Hogan Lecture on A History of the Ophthalmoscope,
The Snyder Memorial Lecture on Instrument Ancestry and The Percival Hay
Memorial Lecture on Instrument Ancestry: Genesis of the Ophthalmic Examination.
In 2018 I held a Workshop in the Utrecht University Library on the Evolution of
Donders’s key inventions, and the working of the instruments involved. This was part
of the celebration of Donders’ 200 years anniversary.
I became a fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand college of Ophthalmologists in 1985 and following this moved to the USA to further my career as a Vitreo-Retinal ophthalmologist at the Cleveland Clinic. I was always interested in optical devices and this interest expanded whilst in the USA, as at that time, there were multiple antique fairs, auctions and clearances which allowed me to accumulate a variety of antique optical devices.
The ophthalmoscope and other diagnostic optical devices have been fundamental tools in ophthalmology especially in my chosen area of retinal disorders. My interest in these items especially ophthalmoscopes over 40 years has resulted in the accumulation of a substantial collection of these instruments which whilst not only being functional diagnostic tools of their time are also, in many cases because of the materials used, notable works of art. Over this period of time, I have come into contact with other collectors and persons interested in these devices. The most significant of these has been Richard Keeler with whom I have taken the opportunity of visiting multiple times over many decades. It was at one of these meetings we did discuss an atlas of ophthalmoscopes and how what had been produced previously had multiple gaps in both instruments and countries involved. Our combined collections have made up the bulk of this atlas and for the remainder we have sourced photos and information from other collectors and museum collections. Multiple people have generously given up their time to help with this work and they are acknowledged in an appendix at the end of the book.
My career has been that of a clinical academic at the University of Western Australia and the Lions Eye Institute in Perth Western Australia. My research interests have been in the areas of retinal vascular disorders, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and retinal surgery. The history and evolution of the ophthalmoscope has been a major interest and both Richard and I hope that those who are interested in these instruments will find this atlas useful.
