Ophthalmology:

General 

A beautifully turned 19th century wood and brass optometer. A similar piece is seen on page 165 of Elisabeth Bennion's book Antique Medical Instruments. The eyepiece is held to one eye and the disc is moved by hand until it comes into focus at which point the required correction for visual acuity is read from the main stem.

A trial lens set from the early 1900s 4 sections "Cylindrical concave" "Cylindrical convex" "Spherical Concave" and  "Spherical Convex" with 12 lenses in each section. There are signs of ageing to the leather case but the lenses are all complete and in excellent condition.

'Haptic' Hard Contact Lenses 1940

Early Magnifying Glasses

These large hard contact lenses from 1940 were called 'haptic' or 'scleral' lenses because rested only on the sclera or white outer portion of the eye. The un-sterile case is fitted with blue velvet and contains the original rubber suction holder. The red silk lined lid is marked Scrivens Ltd London and Midlands.

These vintage German glasses were probably magnifiers for a jeweler although similar examples were use in some kinds of surgery. Complete with their original case and attachments they are in excellent condition and display and magnify very well.

Vintage Folding Glasses

Placido’s disc for Astigmatism

An unusual pair of high quality faux tortoise shell glasses which fold up into a tiny leather case. In excellent condition apart from a barely noticeable chip in the periphery of the right lens.

This rather hypnotic looking device tests for astigmatism by measuring the regularity of the cornea. It is particularly useful in diagnosing keratoconus - a thinning of the cornea which causes it to protrude resulting in irregular astigmatism which can only be corrected with rigid contact lenses and sometimes needs a corneal transplant. The examiner looks through the central lens with black side towards him/herself and the concentric rings pointing towards the patient. The reflection of the image from the back of the cornea eye causes the concentric lines to deviate where there is irregularity of the corneal surface.

Ophthalmic Surgery

Antique Ophthalmology Forceps (A. Luer)

Antique Keratotomy Scissors (A. Luer)

A very delicate and beautifully made pair of ophthalmology forceps for use in 19th century eye surgery. The outside of the box is marked "Pinse Faes Cisticherchi". This inside of the box is lined with purple silk and velvet. The box is marked A. Luer Paris Instrts. De Chirurgie Rue Antoine Dubois 6. Both forceps are marked A Luer Paris. The forceps have crosshatched nickel plated handles and are in excellent condition as shown.

A lovely example of 19th century keratotomy scissors. It is quite remarkable how very small these scissor are and that after 100 years or so they still cut through paper like a razor. The forceps are held between thumb and forefinger and gentle pressure closed the scissor blades. The leather covered wooden box is lined with red silk and marked Luer Paris Instrts. De Chirurgie Rue Antoine Dubois 6. The scissors are marked A Luer Paris.

Eye Surgery Scalpels (Weiss)

Eye Surgery Set (Weiss)

Four scalpels with ivory handles for eye surgery. Two of the scalpels are marked Weiss on the handles and blades. Two are marked Evrard on the blades. Housed in a black leather and red velvet lined case which is in excellent condition (noting a professional repair to the leather hinge).

Four scalpels with ivory handles for eye surgery. Two of the scalpels are marked Weiss on the handles and blades. Two are marked Evrard on the blades. Housed in a black leather and red velvet lined case which is in excellent condition (noting a professional repair to the leather hinge).

Liebreich Ophthalmoscopes 

Antique Liebreich Ophthalmoscope (1)

Superb example of a late 19th/ early 20th century Liebreich Ophthalmoscope. The scope is in excellent condition and has a detachable ebony handle. The embossed leather case is lined with mauve silk and velvet. The silk lined lid opens to show a full complement of all five smaller lenses and two larger lenses present. There has been a material repair (which looks old) to the back hinge. The case is otherwise in excellent condition and the latch closes securely. Both the scope and the case are signed "Maw Son & Thompson London".

Fine example of a 19th century Liebreich Ophthalmoscope. The scope is in very good condition with only slight feathering around the edge of the mirror. There is a detachable ebony handle. The full complement of 5 small and two larger indirect lenses are present. The embossed leather case with orange velvet lining is in good original condition and is marked "Liebreich's Ophthalmoscope" on the front. The hinge is sound and the latch closes securely.

Antique Liebreich Ophthalmoscope (5)

An excellent 19th century Liebreich Ophthalmoscope. The back of the scope is marked either with an insignia or a possible signature "ES" which is difficult to make out an not seen in the photos. There is minimal feathering around the edge of the mirror. The ebony handle is detachable. There is a full complement of 5 small (numbered) and two larger indirect lenses which are enclosed in metal bands. The embossed leather case with red silk and velvet lining is in good condition although it has been blackened which has dulled the gold embossed marking "Liebreich's Ophthalmoscope" on the front. The hinge is sound and the latch closes securely.

A high quality example of a late 19th/early 20th century Liebreich's Ophthalmoscope. The scope is small measuring only 95 mm and is in very good condition as is the detachable ivory handle. The leather case is lined with purple silk and is metal bound, closing with a crisp mechanism. The full complement of five smaller lenses and two larger indirect lenses are present within the lid (one of which has a peripheral chip). The front marked in gold embossed writing "Liebreich's Ophthalmoscope".

Loring Ophthalmoscopes 

Antique Loring Ophthalmoscope (1)

Superb example of a late 19th century Loring Ophthalmoscope with a detachable ivory handle. The purple silk lined leather case shows minimal signs of ageing. The hinges and latch are in perfect condition and the front is marked "Loring ophthalmoscope". The scope and the case are in near mint condition with all lenses and mirror in as new condition. There is a separate compartment with an indirect lens present.

Late 19th century ivory handled Loring Ophthalmoscope in original silk lined leather case. The leather hinge to the back of the case is missing and would be easy to replace. One of 15 internal lenses is missing otherwise all external lenses and the  mirror are intact. There is an indirect lens in perfect condition under a hinged lid. Case signed as shown and ophthalmoscope signed "F.A Hardy & Co.  Opticians Chicago Ill.".

Antique Loring Ophthalmoscope (4)

Antique Loring Variation Ophthalmoscope

Late 19th century ebony handled Loring Ophthalmoscope in original mauve velvet lined leather case. The case is in very good condition although the gold embossed marking has faded on the front. This is a rare 7 lens Loring scope with an ebony handle. All internal lenses are present and correct. There are also two indirect lenses present (one has a small peripheral chip). The mirror is in very good condition. The case is signed Dr A. P. Chown 185 Princess St. Kingston Ont.

A fine late 19th century / early 20th century variation of the Loring Ophthalmoscope with a detachable ebony handle. The ophthalmoscope is in excellent condition and the mirror and all 15 internal external lenses are present and intact. The dark red velvet lined leather case is in very good condition and is marked "L. Pronhauser Munchen". There are two bound indirect lens present which are both flawless.

Morton's  Ophthalmoscopes 

Antique Morton's Ophthalmoscope (3)

A good late 19th/early 20th century Ophthalmoscope. The embossed leather case is lined with blue velvet and silk is in good condition with a secure latch and hinge. The handle is made from brass and ivory. The lenses are all in good condition as is the chain of lens mechanism. The smaller mirror has a hairline crack. There is no indirect lens. The scope is marked "Morton's Ophthalmoscope Curry and Paxton London"

A good late 19th/early 20th century Ophthalmoscope. The embossed leather case is lined with blue velvet and silk is in good condition with a secure latch and hinge. The handle is made from brass and ivory. The lenses and mirrors are all in good condition as is the chain of lens mechanism. There is an indirect lens. The scope is marked "Morton's Ophthalmoscope Curry and Paxton London"

Antique Morton's Ophthalmoscope (5)

A fine late 19th/early 20th century Ophthalmoscope. The embossed leather case is lined with purple velvet and is in good condition internally with a secure latch and hinge. The leather externally is badly worn and there are small areas of bare wood. The handle is brass and ivory and has base which rotates to test colour vision. The mirrors and lenses are all in good condition as is the chain of lens mechanism. There is no indirect lens. The scope is marked "Morton's Ophthalmoscope. Medical supply assoc agents for Curry and Paxton London"

Other  Ophthalmoscopes and Retinoscopes 

A rare folding Oldham's ophthalmoscope invented in 1886 and made by Down of London. It comes in its original leather purple velvet and silk lined box. The central mirror is unmarked. All 9 internal lenses are present and correct and in the lid compartment there is also an indirect lens. The box is 40 x 60 mm and the ophthalmoscope extends to 95 mm. Small but perfectly formed.

Retinoscopes were used at arms length to estimate the patient's refraction. The calibrations around the outside are the axis of the astigmatism. The light would be situated next to the patient shining towards the examiner and reflected from the mirror or glass into the patient's eye. Presumably, the cogs can revolve the 'streak' formed by the mirror/glass to the axis of the astigmatism. It is a beautifully made instrument with a detachable ivory handle in its own silk and velvet case leather case. All in excellent condition.

This is another variation of the Benson type scope, although instead of a clamshell hinge the two lenses rotate through the same axis about a central hinge. One side of the ophthalmoscope is marked Plane. Rec No 350 669, 350 671. The mirror on this side shows signs of ageing. The other side is marked concave, Curry and Paxton's. London. Bickerton's dual retinoscope. The concave mirror is in excellent condition.

The clamshell Benson scope was invented in Dublin by Arthur Benson (1860-1912) as a simple a practical scope for his students. The original scope had both plane and convex mirror. This variation has a single convex mirror.

Antique Retinoscope in Leather Wallet

A simple retinoscope with a small central plane mirror from the late 19th/early 20th century. It has non folding metal handle and a wide mat black surround and comes in a black leather wallet. Retinoscopes were used at arms length to estimate the patient's refraction.

Antique Spectacles

A fine pair of unmarked silver spectacles engraved 'Reverend John Wesley' in a tortoise shell case with a silver cartouche bearing the initials 'JW'. Circa 1790

A rare pair of Martin Margin spectacles with temple arms in steel and horn. Circa 1756

Rivet spectacles with tortoise shell surrounds (one slightly frayed) with silver nosepiece in a shagreen and silver etui dating to circa 1770

A pair of Harris Goggles with green leather frames in their wooden box labeled 'Harris and Co 50 Holborn'. Circa 1820

D-Shaped spectacles with tortoise shell frames and hallmarked silver arms dating to 1823

Thick Protective D-Shaped spectacles in plain glass dating to the last quarter of the 19th century

19th century Chinese tortoise shell spectacles with ornately carved nose bridge and arms in unmarked silver.