The American Journal of Ophthalmology 1862-1864.

The American Journal of Ophthalmology was the first specialty periodical to be published in the Western hemisphere; the first issue appeared in New York City July 1862. Its editor and publisher was Julius Homberger, M.D., aged 22 years, who had emmigrated from Germany in January 1861. Six issues were published the first year and The Journal ceased publication after two issues in 1864. Possibly, the American Ophthalmological Society, the first national medical specialty society, was founded in 1864 in a reaction to Homberger, his journal, and his strong belief that specialists, but not other practitioners, should be permitted to advertise their skills. In 1866, Homberger submitted his resignation to the American Medical Association, which he had served a secretary of the Section on Surgery, 1864-1865. His resignation was refused and he was expelled from membership in 1868. He moved to New Orleans to practice ophthalmology in 1867, and died in 1872. The second series of The Journal began in St. Louis in 1884 with Adolf Alt, A graduate of Heidelberg University, who trained in ophthalmology in New York City, with Hermann Knapp, founder, editor, and publisher of the Archives of Ophthalmology. In 1918, the current third series of the American Journal of Ophthalmology, consolidated five ophthalmic publications, with Edward Jackson of Denver as editor.

The origins of the National Eye Institute 1933-1968. The Fifth Charles B. Snyder Lecture.

Many organizations and individuals prompted the authorization of the National Eye Institute by the United States Congress. The United States Marine Hospital and Public Health Service established a Laboratory of Hygiene in 1887, which became the research center of the National Institute of Health in 1930. The Albert D. and Mary Lasker Medical Foundation was mainly responsible for the 1945 conversion of the American Society for the Control of Cancer to the American Cancer Society, dedicated to medical research. Mildred Weisenfeld, a patient with retinitis pigmentosa, founded The Fight for Sight! in 1946 to provide funds for eye research. The Laskers invited Miss Weisenfeld to testify in support of a National Institute of Neurology, and her appeal was so persuasive that it emerged as the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness. Congressman John Fogarty and Senator Lister Hill directed the attention of the Congress and the public to the need for the Federal support of medical research. In 1960 Jules Stein, the legendary founder of the Music Corporation of America (MCA), established a new philanthropy, Research to Prevent Blindness, which provided skilled leadership in detailing the need for research in blinding disease and obtaining Congressional and Presidential approval of a new institute. The Committee for Research in Ophthalmology and Blindness was instrumental in bringing the groups interested in the welfare of the blind into harmony with groups concerned with medical research in blinding disease. The Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology was the first medical society to support the need for a National Eye Institute. The National Eye Institute was formally approved 8 August 1968 and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1993.

Edward Jackson, MD--a historical perspective of his contributions to refraction and to ophthalmology.

Edward Jackson died October 29, 1942, at 86 years of age. He served as president of the major national ophthalmologic organizations and was professor and chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado. He established the first graduate course for ophthalmologists, suggested the formation of the instruction courses of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and was the principal founder of the American Board of Ophthalmology. He founded and edited the Yearbook of Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Literature. In 1918, he became editor of the third series of the American Journal of Ophthalmology, which consolidated five ophthalmic periodicals. In 1885, he popularized retinoscopy in the United States and was mainly responsible for making it a practical refraction tool. Two years later, he described the cross cylinder to determine the presence or absence of astigmatism. In 1907, he described the use of the cross cylinder to refine the axis of a correcting cylinder in astigmatism. He lectured and wrote widely and published over 700 scientific articles, book chapters, and books.

Fundus changes in persistent and recurrent choroidal folds.

Linear bead-like pigmentation in choroidal folds and diffuse nonspecific retinal pigment epithelial proliferation are seen in long-study choroidal folds. In addition there may be linear streaks of scleral staining.