Hermann von Helmholtz Introduces the Ophthalmoscope
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6 سال پیش
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Hermann von Helmholtz was a
Hermann von Helmholtz was a German physician and physicist born on August 31, 1821 in Postdam, Germany. His contributions to the field of science were numerous and significant. More specifically, his contributions to the field of optometry literally redefined how eye diseases are diagnosed. On December 6, 1850, Mr. Von Helmholtz revolutionized ophthalmology with the invention of the ophthalmoscope. He devised an experiment using cardboard, glue and microscope glass plates to show that light entering the pupil is reflected back along the same path as it entered, making the retina visible.
The benefit of being able to view the retina is quite significant. It allows clinicians the ability to see the details of the retina, including the optic disc and even the blood vessels. In fact, this invention was so revolutionary that it still remains a common tool used during routine eye exams, one that helps in screening for eye diseases. The ophthalmoscope can also be used to help diagnose various conditions that are specific to blood vessels such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Some other conditions that the ophthalmoscope can be used to screen for include the following:
- optic nerve damage
- retinal tear or detachment
- glaucoma
- macular degeneration
- melanoma
By the early 1900’s there were over 200 variations of the ophthalmoscope being manufactured globally. Although Mr. Von Homholtz is usually the person credited with this invention, it is important to note that he was not the first person to view the living retina. In 1823, Johannes Purkinje made the original discovery, while in 1847, 3 years before the invention of the ophthalmoscope, Charles Babbage created a device that was very similar in design. The main difference was that, unlike his predecessors, Hermann von Homholtz documented his findings and publicized them.
In 1881 Mr. Von Homholtz was elected as an honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and was also awarded the French Legion of Honour. Throughout the remainder of his life, Mr. Von Homholtz was presented with numerous awards and honors right up to his death on September 8, 1894 in Charlottenburg, Germany.
The benefit of being able to view the retina is quite significant. It allows clinicians the ability to see the details of the retina, including the optic disc and even the blood vessels. In fact, this invention was so revolutionary that it still remains a common tool used during routine eye exams, one that helps in screening for eye diseases. The ophthalmoscope can also be used to help diagnose various conditions that are specific to blood vessels such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Some other conditions that the ophthalmoscope can be used to screen for include the following:
- optic nerve damage
- retinal tear or detachment
- glaucoma
- macular degeneration
- melanoma
By the early 1900’s there were over 200 variations of the ophthalmoscope being manufactured globally. Although Mr. Von Homholtz is usually the person credited with this invention, it is important to note that he was not the first person to view the living retina. In 1823, Johannes Purkinje made the original discovery, while in 1847, 3 years before the invention of the ophthalmoscope, Charles Babbage created a device that was very similar in design. The main difference was that, unlike his predecessors, Hermann von Homholtz documented his findings and publicized them.
In 1881 Mr. Von Homholtz was elected as an honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and was also awarded the French Legion of Honour. Throughout the remainder of his life, Mr. Von Homholtz was presented with numerous awards and honors right up to his death on September 8, 1894 in Charlottenburg, Germany.
6 سال پیش
در تاریخ 1397/11/04 منتشر شده
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