Frank B. Walsh

Frank Burton Walsh (18 October 1895, Oxbow, Saskatchewan – 27 November 1978, Baltimore, Maryland) was a Canadian-American ophthalmologist, known for his work in neuro-ophthalmology.[1][2]

After studying from 1913 to 1915 at Queen's University, Walsh joined, during WW I, the Canadian Army in 1915 and attained the rank of lieutenant before receiving a lung wound from shrapnel in 1917. Returning to Canada, he studied medicine at the University of Manitoba Medical School and received there his medical degree in 1921. He served as a house officer for 2 years at Winnipeg General Hospital and then was a general practitioner for 7 years. In 1928 he was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. During his years of practice in general medicine, he developed an interest in ophthalmology and in 1930 joined Johns Hopkins's Wilmer Eye Institute as a resident under William H. Wilmer. In 1958 Walsh was appointed a professor at the Wilmer Eye Institute.[3] Along with ophthalmology and ophthalmic surgery, he studied neurosurgery, neurology and psychiatry and eventually developed the medical subspecialty of neuro-ophthalmology.

In 1937, Walsh began compiling case reports and information on diseases affecting the eyes and nervous system for his now-famous text, Clinical Neuro-Ophthalmology, which was first published in 1947.[1]

In 2005 the sixth edition of Clinical Neuro-Ophthalmology was published as Walsh and Hoyt's Clinical Neuro-Opthalmology in 3 volumes edited by Neil R. Miller and Nancy J. Newman.[4] Several editions of abridged versions were published under the title Walsh and Hoyt's Clinical Neuro-Ophthalmology: The Essentials.

A report he published in 1965 led to a reevaluation of the side effects of birth control pills. Dr. Walsh's research indicated a possible link between the use of contraceptive pills and hazards to vision, cases of stroke and other conditions, all presumably involving blood clotting.[5]

Walsh authored many articles and co-authored the book Neuropathology of Vision: an Atlas with Richard Lindenberg and Joel G. Sacks. Walsh gave several named lectures and received a number of honorary degrees and awards, including in 1966 the first Research to Prevent Blindness Award.[3] In 1981 the Frank B. Walsh Professorship in Neuro-Ophthalmology was established in his honor.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 Angelucci, Diane (February 2001). "Groundbreaking neuro-ophthalmologist honored". EyeWorld.
  2. ↑ Frank B. Walsh, MD | ASCRS
  3. 1 2 Medical Archives – Personal Paper Collections: Frank B. Walsh Collection, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
  4. ↑ Nancy J. Newman, MD - Emory Eye Center - Emory University
  5. ↑ "Obituary. Dr. Frank Walsh, Noted for Ophthalmic Work". NY Times. 30 November 1978.
  6. ↑ Named Professorships, Deanships, and Directorships — The Johns Hopkins University
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