John Zachariah Laurence
Encyclopedia
John Zachariah Laurence was an English ophthalmologist who practiced medicine in London
. He was the founder of the South London Ophthalmic Hospital in 1857, which later became known as the Royal Eye Clinic.
In 1864 he became founder and editor of the Ophthalmic Review, the first English journal devoted to ophthalmology. In 1866 he described a syndrome of retinitis pigmentosa
, loss of vision progressing to blindness, mental retardation, stunted stature and hypogonadism
. This disease would become known as the Laurence-Moon syndrome
, named along with his colleague Robert Charles Moon
. Additionally, Laurence is credited for promoting the use of the ophthalmoscope in England.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He was the founder of the South London Ophthalmic Hospital in 1857, which later became known as the Royal Eye Clinic.
In 1864 he became founder and editor of the Ophthalmic Review, the first English journal devoted to ophthalmology. In 1866 he described a syndrome of retinitis pigmentosa
Retinitis pigmentosa
Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of genetic eye conditions that leads to incurable blindness. In the progression of symptoms for RP, night blindness generally precedes tunnel vision by years or even decades. Many people with RP do not become legally blind until their 40s or 50s and retain some...
, loss of vision progressing to blindness, mental retardation, stunted stature and hypogonadism
Hypogonadism
Hypogonadism is a medical term for decreased functional activity of the gonads. Low testosterone is caused by a decline or deficiency in gonadal production of testosterone in males...
. This disease would become known as the Laurence-Moon syndrome
Laurence-Moon syndrome
Laurence–Moon syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder associated with retinitis pigmentosa, spastic paraplegia, hypogonadism and mental retardation.- Genetics : LMS is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner...
, named along with his colleague Robert Charles Moon
Robert Charles Moon
Robert Charles Moon was an ophthalmologist who practiced medicine in England and the United States. He was son of William Moon , inventor of Moon type, an embossed alphabet for the blind....
. Additionally, Laurence is credited for promoting the use of the ophthalmoscope in England.
Selected writings
- "The Sensibility of the Eye to Colour", 1861
- "Handbook of Ophthalmic Surgery for the Use of Practitioners"; written with Robert C. Moon. London, Robert Hardwicke, January 1, 1866.