A number of persons important in all fields of human endeavor became blind or were born blind. The reason for the loss of vision varies a great deal, but many of them continued a productive life and contributed to the welfare and advancement of mankind. It is also surprising how many famous people lost one eye or lost nearly all vision in one eye. These were not only soldiers and warriors exposed to accidental traumas, but also writers, scientists and even physicians.
Key words History of ophthalmology - visual problems
Presented as the First Charles Snyder Lecture before the Society of Ophthalmic History at the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, 15 March 1991. [For List of illustrations, see p. 331]