Gullstrand, einstein, and the nobel prize

Abstract

Only one individual who practiced ophthalmology for a significant period has ever received a Nobel Prize. This was Allvar Gullstrand, MD (1862-1930) (Figure 1 ), a Swede who was awarded the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine in 1911. Although Gullstrand is often said to be the only Nobel laureate who was an ophthalmologist, this is incorrect. Fritz Pregl, MD (1869-1930), an Austrian ophthalmologist who deserted the eye for analytical chemistry, received the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1923. Walter Hess, MD (1881-1973), a Swiss ophthalmologist and physiologist, was awarded the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine in 1949 for his work on autonomie control by the hypothalamus.