A fine and rare antique Förster Perimeter with 180 degree rotating arm, dating from the late 1800s. This elegantly constructed cast iron instrument represents one of the most significant milestones in the history of visual field testing and remains a highly sought after piece among collectors of antique ophthalmic equipment.
The Förster Perimeter has its origins in 1857, when the physiologist Aubert designed, in collaboration with Förster, an instrument capable of examining the visual field in all directions up to 90 degrees from fixation. Förster named this instrument the perimeter — a term that remains in clinical use to this day. The design proved so effective and well conceived that it remained in continuous production for more than a hundred years, a testament to the soundness of its fundamental principles.
This example, believed to date from the late 1800s, features the characteristic 180 degree arc arm mounted on a sturdy cast iron stand with a chin and forehead rest to position the patient’s head precisely during examination. A small target marker is moved along the arc while the patient maintains fixation on a central point, allowing the examiner to systematically chart the boundaries of the patient’s field of vision. The instrument was invaluable in the diagnosis of glaucoma, retinal disease, and neurological conditions affecting the visual pathways.
A landmark instrument in ophthalmology and a striking display piece of Victorian scientific instrument making at its finest.
