Plaque

Institute of Optometry

Inscription

First refraction hospital in the world.
Founded in October 1922 by the Institute of Ophthalmic Opticians. Enlarged October 1928. Reopened 21st February 1929 by Rt. Hon. The Countess of Mayo.
Secretary: F. T. Gregg, M.A.
Architects: G. A. Sexton & Sons

In the correspondence pages of the 1927 BMJ the man named on the plaque, Francis Gregg, had a spat with Mr Bishop Harman (of St Thomas' Hospital) resulting in Mr Harman comparing the Refraction Hospital with the London dolls' hospital or the hospital for umbrellas! Clearly in those days some of the medical profession considered some eye specialists to be upstarts.

"Refraction" just means the ability of the eye to form an image on the retina so we are unclear how this could be the first such hospital "in the world" since, for example, Moorfields was established in 1805. Perhaps this is part of what got Mr Harman so irate.

Site: Institute of Optometry (1 memorial)

SE1, Newington Causeway, 56 - 62, Institute of Optometry

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This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Institute of Optometry

Subjects commemorated i

First refraction hospital in the world

Formed as the London Refraction Hospital (or the Institute of Ophthalmic Opti...

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Institute of Ophthalmic Opticians

It really is spelt "ophth...", amazing. This institute doesn't seem to exist...

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G. A. Sexton & Sons

Architect local to Kilburn in 1905.

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This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Institute of Optometry

Created by i

Francis T. Gregg

M.A. Secretary of Institute of The Ophthalmic Opticians, Refraction Hospital ...

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Countess of Mayo

Active in 1929.

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