Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen (1841–1912) – 100 years anniversary tribute

2012 marks the 100th year of death of Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen (1841–1912), who discovered Mycobacterium leprae, but also gave the first systematic scientific work on the leprosy of the eye. The article reviews his life and scientific achievements with special regard to eye and ophthalmology.     

Danish Ophthalmology – from start to 1865

This short paper mentioned the medical treatment using the ‘holy’ springs, the first ‘eye doctor’ in Denmark, the first picture of spectacles which was found in Viborg Cathedral of the high priest before he performs circumcisio præputii on Jesus Christ, further cataract reclination in Denmark from around year zero and cataract extraction in 1667 in Denmark on a goose by Francisco Borri and on humans by the Danish Georg Heuermann in 1755. Epidemic military eye diseases in 1807, 1856 and 1865 are also described in this study. From 1856, a new ophthalmological period started in Denmark with the first eye hospital (lazaret only for eye diseases), and in 1864, patients with eye diseases were transported from the few beds in the surgical departments in the municipal hospital to the first civil eye department in Denmark, the eye hospital Sct. Annae in Copenhagen. The new scientific period started with Jacob Christian Bentz (ophthalmia granulosa, joint editor of the Danish Medical Journal) and Heinrich Lehmann.     

History of Acta Ophthalmologica – the first 50 years

Acta Ophthalmologica appeared as the scientific journal of the Nordic ophthalmological Societies in 1923. The intention was to expose the clinical and experimental developments among the ophthalmological communities of the four Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. The collaboration within the field of ophthalmology had been attempted with the publication of ‘Nordisk ophthalmologisk Tidsskrift’ in the years 1889–1892. Now, once again, the wish for a tighter Nordic cooperation was explored by enthusiastic ophthalmologists in all four countries. One person stands out as the driving force, K.K.K. Lundsgaard, who in spite of his early death in 1931 was remembered by name on the front page of Acta since 1936 by the Latin phrase ‘A K.K.K. Lundsgaard edi coepta’. The present review recalls details from the early years when the journal found its place in the ophthalmology and creates the background for some reflections on purpose and goals by publishing a scientific journal.     

Alfred Vogt (1879–1943)

Alfred Vogt (1879–1943) was one of three ophthalmologists from the German-speaking part of Switzerland who had an exceptional impact on ophthalmology during the 20th century; the other two were Hans Goldmann (1899–1991) and Franz Fankhauser (1924–). Vogt is known for his natural gift of observation, his extraordinary memory for facts, and an enormous working capacity. Unfortunately, Vogt's merits and exceptional surgical skills were sometimes overshadowed by his aggressive nature.     

The Contact Lens Society of Australia 1961–75:notes on its formation and early development

The Contact Lens Society of Australia is an active learned society, currendy celebrating its 30th anniversary. Its chief objectives are to promote scientific research in the field of contact lenses and to encourage communication among persons engaged in the fitting of contact lenses. While the activities of the society have occasionally appeared in professional journals, a full account of its history has not previously been published. This paper covers the events leading to the inception of the society in 1962, and records its achievements between that year and 1975. In particular, incidents such as the failed first attempt to start the society in 1947, and the suspicion about the society at its inception by other organisations, as well as the success of the international congresses, are considered.     

Nordisk ophthalmologisk tidsskrift 1889–1892

In the second half of the nineteenth century several ophthalmological journals appeared (Germany, England, France, United States). In the northern countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden) an initiative lead to ‘Nordisk ophthalmologisk Tidsskrift’ published in the scandinavian languages in the years 1889–92. The ‘driving force’ behind the journal was the first professor in Ophthalmology in Copenhagen, Dr. Edmund Hansen Grut. The purpose with this presentation is to give the background for the rise and fall of the journal which was an attempt to promote Nordic Ophthalmology. The authors turned out, however, to be mainly those involved as editors. The journal never gained broad acceptance and it simply stopped in 1892, without any closing remarks. In spite of its short life the journal should be remembered for the very first publication on the arcuate scotoma, the Bjerrum scotoma from 1889. Although shortlived the initiative was not in vain, as can be read in the preface to the very first volume of Acta ophthalmologica.     

Paediatric Low Vision – A Survey

ABSTRACT This paper reports the results of a survey conducted at a paediatric low vision clinic, of all children examined in the eight year period 1974 to 1981. The data provide a unique opportunity to identify the ophthalmic characteristics of children with low vision. The major cause of low vision in these children has been identified, examined and compared with the results of similar studies. Other characteristics studied are distance and near vision, the type of low vision aids used and the nature of primary education undertaken by the children. The results are discussed to provide information to improve paediatric low vision care.     

Newham Waterworth 1867–1949

ABSTRACT A biographical account of Newham Waterworth is presented, documenting in particular his contribution to the profession of optometry and its struggle to achieve legislative recognition in the State of Tasmania.     

Endothelial keratoplasty – a review

From its inception over a century ago, penetrating keratoplasty grew to become the most common and most successful form of solid tissue transplantation. Yet clinicians have long recognized the limitations of full‐thickness corneal transplants, including prolonged visual rehabilitation, unpredictable refractive changes, susceptibility to ocular surface complications and vulnerability to traumatic wound rupture. Selective replacement of diseased or damaged posterior corneal layers was conceptualized and implemented a half century ago. However, it has only been within the past decade that improved techniques and instrumentation have allowed endothelial keratoplasty (EK) to become the preferred treatment for patients with endothelial dysfunction. EK provides more rapid visual recovery, minimizes induced astigmatism and, most importantly, better maintains globe integrity than penetrating keratoplasty. Descemet stripping automated EK is currently the most widely used method. This article covers how EK techniques have evolved over time, considers who is or is not an appropriate candidate for EK, describes Descemet stripping automated EK methods and instrumentation, discusses EK postoperative complications and management and compares visual recovery, refractive outcomes and endothelial cell loss with that of standard penetrating keratoplasty.     

Micropulse diode laser trabeculoplasty – 180‐degree treatment

Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of 180° micropulse diode laser trabeculoplasty (MDLT) in patients with open‐angle glaucoma. Methods: A retrospective review of 40 eyes of 29 MDLT‐treated patients with a minimum follow‐up time of 6 months. Successful outcome was defined as follows: (i) a ≥20% or (ii) a ≥3‐mmHg decrease of intraocular pressure (IOP), no further need for laser‐ or incisional surgery and the number of glaucoma medication was the same or less than preoperative. These definitions will from now on be referred to as definition one and definition two. Results: Life‐table analysis showed an overall success rate of 2.5% (1/40) and 7.5% (3/40) (according to definitions one and two, respectively) after up to 19 months of follow‐up. The average time for failure was by definition one 2.9 months (standard deviation, SD ± 3.5, range 1–12 months) and by definition two 3.3 months (SD ± 3.9, range 1–16 months). There were no intra‐ or postoperative complications caused by MDLT. Postoperative inflammatory reaction, cells and flare, was scanty. Conclusion: Our results suggest that 180° MDLT is a safe but ineffective treatment in patients with open‐angle glaucoma.     

Senile Macular Degeneration – The Effects and Management

The previous paper in this series on the effects and management of senile macular degeneration (SMD) detailed the optometric low vision treatment available for alleviating the visual disabilities caused by SMD. This final paper in the series indicates that low vision care cannot be considered the responsibility of any one profession. Thus, the roles of other rehabilitation professionals in minimizing the visual disabilities and visual handicaps of persons with SMD are discussed in detail.