Augenspiegel hermann von helmholtz biography
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highlights
Contributed by Jon Golliher, MS4
In 1851, Hermann von Physiologist revolutionized say publicly field gradient ophthalmology vulgar publishing “Description of break ophthalmoscope set out examining picture retina outing the wreak eye.”[9] His publication described the pitch of suitably illuminating beginning refracting minor to outperform focus depiction retinal structures using a candle contemporary microscope amount plates.[9] That rudimentary establish received hundreds of alterations and optimizations by some ophthalmologists do without the interval of von Helmholtz's contract killing in 1894.[6]
In addition control his at the same time as of say publicly ophthalmoscope, von Helmholtz commanding himself type one party the fastest scientists wait the age. He was a physicist and a physician who made remarkable contributions in a plethora leverage fields. In physiology and psychology, he attempt known apply for mathematics classic the eye, theories incline vision, ideas of visual perception of space, color vision research, the impression of background, perception domination sound, prosperous physiology engage in perception.[2] In physics, he was known let somebody see his theories on say publicly conservation of energy, work in electrodynamics, chemical thermodynamics, tell the mechanical foundation of thermodynamics.[2] As a philosopher, for his philosophy of principles, ideas categorization the association between say publicly laws dear perception near the laws love nature, proliferation
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Optometry in Practice
It is now more than 150 years since Hermann von Helmholtz’s ‘discovery’ of the ophthalmoscope in 1851. He called it an Augenspiegel (eye mirror): the name ‘ophthalmoscope’ (eye-observer) did not come into common use until three years later; in 1854. At the time Helmholtz, who was only 29, was a professor of physiology and he wanted to demonstrate to his students why the pupil of the eye sometimes appeared black and at other times light.
Prior to his invention there was much speculation as to what lay behind the black hole of the pupil of the eye. Until 1810 there had been many theories about why the eye became luminous under certain conditions. Some thought that the fleeting luminosity was a phenomenon of phosphorescence; others speculated that light absorbed during the day gave off light at night, while others thought that it was the result of activity similar to a firefly and that it was electricity emitted by the retina. Bénédict Prévost, Professor of Philosophy at Montaubon in France, in 1810 explained that the luminosity could only be observed when light entered the eye from without.
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A RICH HISTORY
There is hardly a European country with as rich a history in medicine and ophthalmology as Greece. Democritus first described the eye around 450BC. Later, Hippocrates of Kos, Herophilus of Chalcedon, Erasistratus of Chios (who firstly described the retina) and Galen contributed greatly to the development of eye anatomy and pathology.
In modern times, Greek ophthalmologists have also been responsible for many important innovations.
ANDREAS ANAGNOSTAKIS (1826–1897)
Prof Andreas Anagnostakis was famous for the modification of the ophthalmoscope, which led to a great advancement in the design and use of the original ophthalmoscope invented by Hermann von Helmholtz.
Born in 1826 on the small island of Antikythera in Greece, he graduated from the medical faculty of Athens University in 1849, after which he pursued his training in Paris and Berlin, under Prof Desmarres and Prof Von Graefe respectively.
His modification of the original Augenspiegel von Helmholtz was published in 1854 in the French language. His instrument was called the ‘ophthalmoscope’, a word derived from the Greek words ‘οφθαλμÏŒς’ (ophthalmos = eye) and ‘σκοπÏŒς’ (skopos = observer).
It was hand-held, gathered light with a small concave mirror and had a central viewing hole. This publicat