Notable Dates in Ophthalmology — Summer 2022

10 years ago (2012): Studies were underway regarding the use of stem cells in the treatment of several ocular diseases. More than 12 institutions and companies were involved in research and clinical trials in degenerative problems in the eye, including several trials involving human patients.

25 years ago (1997): The American Academy of Ophthalmology with then-President Stephen A. Obstbaum, MD, met in San Francisco. Local headlines at the time focused on California Republican Gov. Pete Wilson ending California’s affirmative action program.

Dr. Stephen Obstbaum and Merilee Obstbaum displaying his Presidents’ Citation from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, 1997 Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

50 years ago (1972): Cornelius D. Binkhorst, MD, in the Netherlands devised a new intraocular lens procedure consisting of an extra capsular cataract extraction and implantation of his intraocular lens into the posterior chamber. Fixation to the capsular remnant immobilized the lens and spared the corneal endothelium.

100 years ago (1922): Ernest Edmund Maddox, MD (1860-1935), of Edinburgh designed the “Maddox Wing Test” for ocular motility testing.

250 years ago (1772): Jean Janin (1731-1799) ophthalmic surgeon in Lyon published “Memoir et Observations sur Oeil” that described the use of convex lenses to see distant objects. He operated with great skill and made original observations on cataract, the lacrimal apparatus and binocular vision.

500 years ago (1522): Artist Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528), following the example of Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), was extremely interested in anatomy. He painted and drew more realistic and accurate images of humans and other animals, including the external aspect of the eye.