Ernst Fuchs (1851–1930)

For the first time, a complete scientific monograph dealing with the life and work of the ophthalmologist Ernst Fuchs (1851-1930) is presented. Not only within the Vienna School of Ophthalmology, but even internationally, he is considered the most important Austrian ophthalmologist from the turn of the 19th to the 20th century. Following the new guidelines issued by the 2nd Vienna Medical School, Fuchs based his understanding of eye diseases on the pathological changes in the ocular tissues uncovered by his extensive histological research. Thus, Fuchs was able to identify numerous new ocular diseases, most of them still bearing his name. Due to his innovative teaching and his Text-book of Ophthalmology, which was translated into English, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Japanese and Chinese, Fuchs gained the highest appreciation worldwide. As a pioneer initiative, Fuchs expanded the range of courses offered by the Vienna Medical Faculty by establishing summer courses in ophthalmology in the English language, which, from 1879 onwards, became a regular institution. Thus, Fuchs gathered at his clinic a great number of disciples from all over the world. Up to the beginning of World War I, they transferred the doctrines of the Vienna School of Ophthalmology to their home countries and often founded eye clinics according to the model of their teacher. After his voluntary retirement in 1915, extensive travel enabled Fuchs to visit his former disciples on all continents of the world except Australia. For several weeks he held postgraduate courses and lectures on special topics. The main destinations of his international teaching were the USA, Japan, and China. Through all these achievements, Fuchs raised the Vienna School of Ophthalmology to the international leading position within this specialty for five decades.