Alfred Bielschowsky

Who was Alfred Bielschowsky?

Alfred Bielschowsky was a German ophthalmologist. His specialty was physiology and pathology of the eye, particularly in regards to research of eye movement, space perception and diagnosis of oculomotor anomalies.

Bielschowsky was born in Namslau, Prussian Silesia. After attending the Königliches Katholisches Gymnasium of Glatz, he studied medicine at the University of Breslau and at the University of Heidelberg. At Heidelberg he was a student of ophthalmologist Theodor Leber. Afterwards he studied medicine at the University of Berlin, attending the lectures of Karl Ernst Theodor Schweigger and graduating in 1893. He received his medical license in Leipzig on March 1 of the same year.

Bielschowsky subsequently studied and worked in the eye clinic at the University of Leipzig, receiving his habilitation in 1900 and becoming head physician in 1906. While at Leipzig, he studied under Ewald Hering. In 1912 Bielschowsky attained the chair of ophthalmology at the University of Marburg.

During World War I, Bielschowsky established a hospital ward and Braille instruction for treatment of blinded soldiers.