Jan Purkinje and the ophthalmoscope

Daniel M. Albert, William H. Miller

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Jan Purkinje (1787-1869), in 1823, described the principle of ophthalmoscopy. Using a concave spherical lens and candle he examined the interior of the human eye and dog eye. Realizing the significance of the technique he had developed, he urged practitioners to make use of this method of examination. These efforts, which preceded Helmholtz's classic description of the ophthalmoscope by 27 years, have gone largely unnoticed. Following Purkinje's instructions for ophthalmoscopic examination, we saw the fundus oculi with extreme ease and clarity. Extensive English translations of Purkinje's works on the examination of the eye are now available, and pertinent excerpts are cited.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)494-499
Number of pages6
JournalAmerican journal of ophthalmology
Volume76
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1973
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Jan Purkinje and the ophthalmoscope'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this