Ophthalmoscope by Collin et Cie

Made:: 1871-1900 in Paris

maker:: Collin et Compagnie

Ophthalmoscope, steel, brass and glass, by Collin and Co. of Paris, in leather case, late 19th century

Details

Category:: Ophthalmology

Collection:: Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection

Object Number:: A625215

Materials:: brass, steel, glass, clear and mirrored, case, leather, case, metal, case, felt and case, silk

Measurements:: height 174 mm
width 35 mm
depth 9 mm

type:: ophthalmoscope

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Ophthalmoscope, Paris, France, 1871-1900

Ophthalmoscope, steel, brass and glass, by Collin and Co. of Paris, late 19th century

Herman von Helmholtz (1821-1894) invented the ophthalmoscope in 1851. It is a simple, highly effective instrument used to view the interior of the eye. Helmholtz reasoned an observer placing his eye in the path of light reflected from the back of a subject’s eye (through the pupil) could see the subject’s retina. Helmholtz used glass plates angled at 45 degrees to reflect sunlight into the eye. In this example, a ratchet mechanism rotates two wheels of lenses in front of a perforated mirror.