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Editorial
. 2020 Nov-Dec;3(6):409-413.
doi: 10.1016/j.ogla.2020.04.015. Epub 2020 May 5.

The Pressure: Before and after Schiøtz

Daniel M Albert, Richard Keeler
Editorial

The Pressure: Before and after Schiøtz

Daniel M Albert et al. Ophthalmol Glaucoma. 2020 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Purpose:: To report on the development of the Schiøtz tonometer and to put its subsequent role into perspective with regard to the history of glaucoma, the career of Hjalmar Schiøtz (1850–1927), and the evolution of the tonometer leading up to the development of the Goldmann tonometer.

Introduction:: The story of physicians’ attempts to assess intraocular pressure goes back many centuries. Mechanical instruments designed for this purpose were first introduced in the latter part of the 19th century, but did not gain traction until the introduction of the Schiøtz tonometer in 1905. This report reviews details about this instrument, its inventor and its role in glaucoma treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: “No conflicting relationship exists for the authors”

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Albrecht von Graefe. Courtesy of Richard Keeler, FRCOphth (Hon), Honorary Curator, The Royal College of Ophthalmologists. Open source.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
von Graefe Tonometer. Courtesy Tonkelaar, I den et al. Eye and Instruments.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Maklakoff tonometer circa 1885. Courtesy of Richard Keeler, FRCOphth (Hon), Honorary Curator, The Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Portrait of Hjalmar Schiøtz (1850–1927). Courtesy Otto Johansen, Hjalmar Schiøtz (1850–1927), 1999/2000.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Schiøtz tonometer. Courtesy of Richard Keeler, FRCOphth (Hon), Honorary Curator, The Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Dr. Jonas S. Friedenwald. Courtesy of Peter J. McDonnell, M.D., Chairman of the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Figure 7.
Figure 7.
The Schiøtz ophthalmoscope manufactured by Andreas Jensen Krogh. Courtesy of Richard Keeler, FRCOphth (Hon), Honorary Curator, The Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
Figure 8.
Figure 8.
Schiøtz in old age using his tonometer. Courtesy Otto Johansen, Hjalmar Schiøtz (1850–1927), 1999/2000.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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