Douglas Moray Cooper Lamb Argyll Robertson
Encyclopedia
Douglas Moray Cooper Lamb Argyll Robertson (1837 – 3 January 1909) was a Scottish
ophthalmologist and surgeon
. Argyll Robertson pupil
is named after him.
After earning his degree in 1857 from the University of St Andrews
, he went to Berlin
to study under Albrecht von Graefe (1828–1870). Robertson spent most of his medical career in Edinburgh
as an eye surgeon at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary
and teacher of ophthalmology
at the University of Edinburgh
. For a while he was honorary eye physician to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII.
Robertson made several contributions in the field of ophthalmology; in 1863 he researched the effects on the eye made by physostigmine
, an extract from the Calabar bean
(Physostigma venenosum), which is found in tropical Africa. He correctly predicted that physostigmine would become very important in the treatment of eye disorders. He also described a symptom of neurosyphilis
that affects the pupils of the eye, which is known today as Argyll Robertson pupil
s.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
ophthalmologist and surgeon
Surgeon
In medicine, a surgeon is a specialist in surgery. Surgery is a broad category of invasive medical treatment that involves the cutting of a body, whether human or animal, for a specific reason such as the removal of diseased tissue or to repair a tear or breakage...
. Argyll Robertson pupil
Argyll Robertson pupil
Argyll Robertson pupils are bilateral small pupils that constrict when the patient focuses on a near object , but do not constrict when exposed to bright light . They are a highly specific sign of neurosyphilis. In general, pupils that “accommodate but do not react” are said to show light-near...
is named after him.
After earning his degree in 1857 from the University of St Andrews
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
, he went to Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
to study under Albrecht von Graefe (1828–1870). Robertson spent most of his medical career in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
as an eye surgeon at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary
Edinburgh Royal Infirmary
The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh or RIE, sometimes mistakenly referred to as Edinburgh Royal Infirmary or ERI, was established in 1729 and is the oldest voluntary hospital in Scotland. The new buildings of 1879 were claimed to be the largest voluntary hospital in the United Kingdom, and later on...
and teacher of ophthalmology
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems...
at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
. For a while he was honorary eye physician to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII.
Robertson made several contributions in the field of ophthalmology; in 1863 he researched the effects on the eye made by physostigmine
Physostigmine
Physostigmine is a parasympathomimetic alkaloid, specifically, a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor. It occurs naturally in the Calabar bean....
, an extract from the Calabar bean
Calabar bean
The Calabar bean is the seed of a leguminous plant, Physostigma venenosum, a native of tropical Africa, poisonous to humans. It derives the first part of its scientific name from a curious beak-like appendage at the end of the stigma, in the centre of the flower; this appendage, though solid, was...
(Physostigma venenosum), which is found in tropical Africa. He correctly predicted that physostigmine would become very important in the treatment of eye disorders. He also described a symptom of neurosyphilis
Neurosyphilis
Neurosyphilis is an infection of the brain or spinal cord caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It usually occurs in people who have had untreated syphilis for many years, usually about 10 - 20 years after first infection.-Symptoms and signs:...
that affects the pupils of the eye, which is known today as Argyll Robertson pupil
Argyll Robertson pupil
Argyll Robertson pupils are bilateral small pupils that constrict when the patient focuses on a near object , but do not constrict when exposed to bright light . They are a highly specific sign of neurosyphilis. In general, pupils that “accommodate but do not react” are said to show light-near...
s.