They had a vision: These famous people started as ophthalmologists
What did Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Jules Stein have in common?
They were both trained as ophthalmologists.
Most ophthalmologists focus on the management of eye diseases and performance of eye surgeries.
Some participate in research to understand visual functions and to advance diagnoses and treatments of eye conditions.
A few of them become famous and successful outside of medicine.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was most famous for creating the characters of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson.
He studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh where he observed the diagnostic acumen of Dr. Joseph Bell. After working as a ship surgeon and a medical practitioner in Plymouth, he went to Vienna to study ophthalmology.
He also spent time in Paris with Dr. Edmund Landolt, a famous French ophthalmologist and eye surgeon. He returned to England and opened an ophthalmology practice in London.
Both his medical practice and ophthalmology practice were unsuccessful. While waiting for patients, Doyle continued his writing of fiction, which began during his medical study. His detective character, Sherlock Holmes, was modeled after Dr. Bell.
Holmes appeared to Dr. Watson to have an amazing ability to solve crimes based on observation and deduction. With a successful literary career, Doyle eventually left the practice of ophthalmology and medicine.
Jules Stein
Jules Stein graduated from the University of Chicago with a bachelor degree at age 18 and studied medicine at Rush Medical College.
He received his ophthalmology training at the University of Vienna and Cook County Hospital in Chicago. He became a board certified ophthalmologist.
Dr. Stein was a gifted musician who financed his education by playing and leading bands. He went into booking when he was unable to fulfill one of his own band commitments.
Eventually he concentrated on booking other musicians. With success in the entertainment business, he gave up the practice of ophthalmology.
Dr. Stein was the founder of Music Corporation of America (MCA). MCA became a major talent agency for musicians, including Ted Weems and Benny Goodman and Hollywood stars such as Ronald Reagan, Bette Davis and Frank Sinatra.
Dr. Stein maintained his interest in ophthalmology. He helped to found the Research to Prevent Blindness, which is a non-profit organization in the support of eye research.
He provided funding for the Jules Stein Eye Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles. He lobbied Congress for passage of legislation to establish the National Eye Institute in Bethesda, Maryland.
There are other ophthalmologists who made contributions outside of medicine.
Dr. Jose Rizal was a revolutionary leader in the overthrow of Spanish rule in the Philippines.
Dr. Renee Richards who was the first transgender professional tennis player and advocated for transgender rights.
Dr. Frederick Ho, the medical director of Atlantic Eye MD and Atlantic Surgery and Laser Center, is a board certified ophthalmologist. Atlantic Eye MD is located at 8040 N. Wickham Road in Melbourne. To make an appointment please call (321) 757-7272. To learn more visit AtlanticEyeMD.com.