Juler Ophthalmoscope 1882
The Juler ophthalmoscope is a rare and historically significant antique eye examination instrument dating to 1882. This example is in excellent condition and is marked “Juler’s Ophthalmoscope — Curry & Paxton, London” — one of the most respected names in Victorian surgical instrument supply. It is presented in its original fitted case with rich blue velvet lining.
Henry Edward Juler
Henry Edward Juler (1842–1921) received his medical training at St. Mary’s Hospital in London, and also in Paris and Berlin. He passed the examination for Fellowship in the Royal College of Surgeons (F.R.C.S.) England. He worked under Anderson Critchett at St. Mary’s Hospital after 1884. Juler took over as director of the eye department and held this position until 1911. His main work, A Handbook of Ophthalmic Science and Practice, appeared in 1884 and went through many editions. Juler died in London in 1921.
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The Original Juler Design
The original Juler ophthalmoscope had 21 lenses on one disc. Convex lenses in red ranged from +1 to +10 diopters. Concave lenses in white ranged from -1 to -15 diopters. A gear wheel moved the lenses into position. A combination sector provided lenses of +0.5 and +12 and -0.5 and -20 diopters. A smaller angled concave mirror of 8cm focal distance or a larger concave mirror with a longer focal distance were available.
This Simpler Model
The simpler model — presented here — proved more popular than the original. It was offered in two designs: with large and small angled concave mirrors, or with a large plane mirror. Both types mount the mirror on a rotatable arm. This example has the small angled mirror along with the large plane mirror. The disc carries 24 lenses: convex +1 to +20 diopters and concave -1 to -30 diopters.
The Electric Version
Four years after the original, in 1886, Juler presented an electrically lit version to the Ophthalmological Society of the United Kingdom. The electric light bulb mounted on the outside directly under a small concave mirror of half-inch focal distance. The electrical portion could be removed and replaced by the earlier mounted mirror for use with an external light source.
