A magnificent and exceptionally rare antique Haag-Streit Pfister & Streit keratometer dating to 1912, presented complete with its original matching tripod stand and instrument table — a breathtaking ensemble of early 20th century Swiss ophthalmic precision engineering. This imposing instrument is a direct product of the workshop of Pfister & Streit of Bern, the celebrated precision instrument makers who would later become the internationally renowned Haag-Streit AG — one of the most distinguished names in ophthalmic instrument manufacture to this day.
The keratometer — also known as an ophthalmometer — was used to measure the curvature of the anterior surface of the cornea, providing essential data for the diagnosis and quantification of astigmatism, the fitting of contact lenses, and the calculation of intraocular lens power for cataract surgery. In 1912, when this instrument was made, keratometry was an established but still evolving discipline, and a keratometer of this quality and provenance would have represented the finest available technology for the clinical or research ophthalmologist of the era.
The original tripod stand and table are a particularly rare survival — instruments of this age are almost never found with their complete original furniture intact. Together they create an extraordinarily striking display piece that speaks directly to the golden age of Swiss optical instrument making.
A truly landmark piece for any serious collection of antique ophthalmic equipment, and a proud chapter in the history of Haag-Streit.
