Hans Goldmann (1899–1991)

Abstract

Hans Goldmann (1899–1991), born in Komotau in Bohemia, studied medicine in Prague. He was trained in physiology by A.V. Tchermak-Seysenegg and in ophthalmology by A. Elschnig in Prague and by A. Siegrist in Berne. He succeeded Siegrist as chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology in Berne in 1935. He was granted Swiss citizenship in 1936. For almost 70 years, Hans Goldmann has influenced, and continues to influence, the daily practice of ophthalmology. In 1933, he and W. Haag and H. Papritz produced the Haag-Streit-Slitlamp 320. This instrument, together with contact lenses that he developed, enabled the whole eye from the surface of the cornea to the fundus to be examined with the patient in the seated position. In 1945, the Goldmann Cupola-Perimeter followed, which allowed the standardization of background and target luminance. The applanation tonometer was introduced in 1954 and, in 1958, the Haag-Streit Slitlamp 900. The presentation of every new instrument was accompanied by a clinical article demonstrating its value. Goldmann's research culminated in the understanding of the production and outflow of the aqueous. He determined the volume of the anterior chamber in 1941, detected the aqueous veins in 1945, proved that these contain aqueous in 1949, measured aqueous production by fluorescein dilution curves in 1950, and coined the formula that determines outflow facility. This article is to remind the current generation of ophthalmologists of an outstanding man who developed our understanding of disease and who created the many of the instruments that still determine the daily practice of ophthalmology worldwide.