The pioneer ophthalmologist Johann Friedrich Horner (1831–1886) and the clinical anatomy of the homonymous syndrome

Abstract

Johann Friedrich Horner is remembered in ophthalmology due to his brief report in the German scientific journal ‘Klinische Monatsblatter fur Augenheilkunde’, in which emphasized the clinical value of a cluster of external signs of damage to the cervical sympathetic nerve. Although J .F .Horner was not the first to describe such a syndrome, he was credited with the nomination. For the French, Francois Pourfour du Petit was the pioneer in that case. Born in Zurich, travelled Europe to be further educated, becoming later on Professor and Director of the University Clinic of Ophthalmology in his native city. In conclusion, J .F .Horner’s adamantine character, hard work, assiduous teaching and skills in eye surgery made him one of the main contributors for the evolution of ophthalmology in the nineteenth century Central Europe.