Gordon Norrie
Encyclopedia
Gordon Norrie was a Danish surgeon
and ophthalmologist of Scottish parentage who was born in Helsingør (Elsinore). He was married to Charlotte Norrie, née Harbou (1855–1940), who was a pioneer of modern nursing
.
He studied medicine at the University of Copenhagen
. Originally trained as a surgeon, his interest later turned to ophthalmology
, where he specialized in treatment of the blind. From 1903 to 1938 he worked as an ophthalmologist at the ophthalmology clinic of the Royal Danish Institute for the Blind, later the Statens Øjenklinik (the National Eye Clinic).
He is associated with the eponymous "Norrie disease
", a rare form of hereditary blindness that he described in 1927, and referred to as atrophia oculi congenita. This disorder is characterized by severe retinal
malformations, cataract
s, leukocoria
and atrophy of the iris.
The Gordon Norrie Centre for Genetic Eye Diseases at the National Eye Clinic in Hellerup, Copenhagen was named in his honor. The National Eye Clinic is now part of the Kennedy Center in Glostrup, another Copenhagen suburb.
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...
and ophthalmologist of Scottish parentage who was born in Helsingør (Elsinore). He was married to Charlotte Norrie, née Harbou (1855–1940), who was a pioneer of modern nursing
Nursing
Nursing is a healthcare profession focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life from conception to death....
.
He studied medicine at the University of Copenhagen
University of Copenhagen
The University of Copenhagen is the oldest and largest university and research institution in Denmark. Founded in 1479, it has more than 37,000 students, the majority of whom are female , and more than 7,000 employees. The university has several campuses located in and around Copenhagen, with the...
. Originally trained as a surgeon, his interest later turned to 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...
, where he specialized in treatment of the blind. From 1903 to 1938 he worked as an ophthalmologist at the ophthalmology clinic of the Royal Danish Institute for the Blind, later the Statens Øjenklinik (the National Eye Clinic).
He is associated with the eponymous "Norrie disease
Norrie disease
Norrie Disease is a genetic disorder that primarily affects the eye and almost always leads to blindness. In addition to the congenital ocular symptoms, some patients suffer from a progressive hearing loss starting mostly in their 2nd decade of life, while another portion may be mentally...
", a rare form of hereditary blindness that he described in 1927, and referred to as atrophia oculi congenita. This disorder is characterized by severe retinal
Retinal
Retinal, also called retinaldehyde or vitamin A aldehyde, is one of the many forms of vitamin A . Retinal is a polyene chromophore, and bound to proteins called opsins, is the chemical basis of animal vision...
malformations, cataract
Cataract
A cataract is a clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye or in its envelope, varying in degree from slight to complete opacity and obstructing the passage of light...
s, leukocoria
Leukocoria
Leukocoria is an abnormal white reflection from the retina of the eye. Leukocoria resembles eyeshine, but leukocoria can occur in humans and other animals that lack eyeshine because their retina lacks a tapetum lucidum....
and atrophy of the iris.
The Gordon Norrie Centre for Genetic Eye Diseases at the National Eye Clinic in Hellerup, Copenhagen was named in his honor. The National Eye Clinic is now part of the Kennedy Center in Glostrup, another Copenhagen suburb.