On the Shoulders of Giants

"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” –Sir Isaac Newton, 1676

There are many innovators whose discovery of an instrument, surgical technique or scientific break through has qualified them as a giant in the field of ophthalmology. We all stand on their shoulders in our work to prevent avoidable blindness.

There can be other kinds of giants too, for instance, those people whose enthusiasm and didactic skill shaped our interests and goals at a seminal point in our careers. From this perspective we will take a historical look at a few of the early teachers of ophthalmology and the teaching methods they employed.

You are invited to explore the giants presented in this exhibit and tell us about the people and places that influenced you. As we hear from you, this exhibit will continue to grow and honor the giants in ophthalmology upon whose shoulders we truly stand on today.