Alfred Carl Graefe

Alfred Carl Graefe (November 23, 1830 - April 12, 1899) was a German ophthalmologist who was born in Martinskirchen. He studied medicine in Halle and Berlin, and later became a professor of ophthalmology at the University of Halle. He was cousin to famed oculist Albrecht von Graefe.

Additional recommended knowledge

Daily Visual Balance Check

What is the Correct Way to Check Repeatability in Balances?

How to ensure accurate weighing results every day?

Alfred Graefe was known for his work with ocular motility disorders, particularly strabismus. He was a pioneer of aseptic ophthalmic surgery in a mission to prevent surgical complications such as endophthalmitis. Also, he assisted Edwin Theodor Saemisch in publishing the epic ophthalmological work titled Handbuch des gesamten Augenheilkunde.

Graefe was physician to composer Franz Liszt when the latter suffered from failing vision. A date for cataract surgery was planned in September 1886, however Liszt died during the summer, and the surgery never took place.

Written works

• Klinische Analyse der Motilitätsstörungen des menschlichen Auges (Berlin 1858).
• Symptomenlehre der Augenmuskellähmungen (1867).
• Ein Wort zur Erinnerung an A. v. Graefe (Halle 1870).
• Handbuch der gesamten Augenheilkunde, (Leipzig 1874-80) (with Theodor Saemisch)