Arthur Ferguson MacCallan CBE, MD, FRCS (1872–1955), trachoma pioneer and the ophthalmic campaign in Egypt 1903–1923

Abstract

Arthur Ferguson MacCallan was an ophthalmic surgeon who undertook his pioneering work in Egypt between 1903 and 1923. He established the Egyptian ophthalmic infrastructure which, on his departure, consisted of 23 operational hospital units, treating 134,000 new patients, having trained some 100 ophthalmic surgeons. He also established the Memorial Ophthalmic Laboratory at Giza which is still operational today. MacCallan became a world authority on trachoma. He pioneered the ‘MacCallan Classification’ which was the first grading system to standardise the stages of trachoma. He used this grading internally from 1905, continuing his research into trachoma over the ensuing years. In 1952, the WHO adopted the ‘MacCallan Classification’ as its standard. There has recently been a revival of interest in MacCallan’s work. First, the International Coalition for Trachoma Control (ICTC) inaugurated the ‘ICTC MacCallan Medal’ in 2014 as a contribution towards achieving the WHO’s target date for the Global Elimination of Blinding Trachoma (‘GET 2020’). Second, MacCallan’s work with the military hospitals has been recognised by Moorfields Eye Hospital on their World War I Commemorative History Board. Thus, MacCallan’s pioneering spirit, his humanitarian campaign for the relief of suffering and his accomplishments of over a century ago continue to resonate with the profession today.