title: A nineteenth century view of the optic commissure.
abstract: Historically, ophthalmologists and anatomists have been intrigued by the optic nerve and its decussation. Isaac Newton was the first to describe and suggest the significance of the chiasmal crossing, while W.H. Wollaston defined the importance of hemiretinal differentiation in 1824. However, at that time, the vertical meridian separating nasal from temporal retina was believed to be located at the optic papillae. This theory was disproved in 1870 by two Philadelphia ophthalmologists, who demonstrated and documented the vertical meridian at the macula during their examination of an injured Civil War soldier.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga.
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Reynolds
mesh_terms: D049672:History, 19th Century; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000266:history; D009897:Optic Chiasm; D014481:United States