Cocaine's use in ophthalmology: Our 100-year heritage

Adam J. Altman; Daniel M. Albert; George A. Fournier

doi:10.1016/0039-6257(85)90153-5

Cocaine's use in ophthalmology: Our 100-year heritage

Adam J. Altman, Daniel M. Albert, George A. Fournier

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

One hundred years ago the fledgling ophthalmologist Carl Koller demonstrated that the alkaloid cocaine was a local anesthetic suitable for rendering the eye temporarily insensible to pain. It was an event of historical significance, as his discovery opened the door not only to a new era in ophthalmic surgery, but to surgery in general. In this paper we review the ancient uses of the coca leaf, the historical events leading up to and following Koller's discovery, and the present day uses of cocaine in ophthalmology and medicine.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	297-299
Number of pages	3
Journal	Survey of Ophthalmology
Volume	29
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/0039-6257(85)90153-5
State	Published - 1985
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Carl Koller
cocaine
history of ophthalmology
local anesthesia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Ophthalmology

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10.1016/0039-6257(85)90153-5

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title = "Cocaine's use in ophthalmology: Our 100-year heritage",

abstract = "One hundred years ago the fledgling ophthalmologist Carl Koller demonstrated that the alkaloid cocaine was a local anesthetic suitable for rendering the eye temporarily insensible to pain. It was an event of historical significance, as his discovery opened the door not only to a new era in ophthalmic surgery, but to surgery in general. In this paper we review the ancient uses of the coca leaf, the historical events leading up to and following Koller's discovery, and the present day uses of cocaine in ophthalmology and medicine.",

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AU - Albert, Daniel M.

AU - Fournier, George A.

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N2 - One hundred years ago the fledgling ophthalmologist Carl Koller demonstrated that the alkaloid cocaine was a local anesthetic suitable for rendering the eye temporarily insensible to pain. It was an event of historical significance, as his discovery opened the door not only to a new era in ophthalmic surgery, but to surgery in general. In this paper we review the ancient uses of the coca leaf, the historical events leading up to and following Koller's discovery, and the present day uses of cocaine in ophthalmology and medicine.

AB - One hundred years ago the fledgling ophthalmologist Carl Koller demonstrated that the alkaloid cocaine was a local anesthetic suitable for rendering the eye temporarily insensible to pain. It was an event of historical significance, as his discovery opened the door not only to a new era in ophthalmic surgery, but to surgery in general. In this paper we review the ancient uses of the coca leaf, the historical events leading up to and following Koller's discovery, and the present day uses of cocaine in ophthalmology and medicine.

KW - Carl Koller

KW - cocaine

KW - history of ophthalmology

KW - local anesthesia

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JO - Survey of Ophthalmology

JF - Survey of Ophthalmology

IS - 4

ER -

Cocaine's use in ophthalmology: Our 100-year heritage

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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