Leonhard Koeppe

Leonhard Koeppe (1884-1969) was a German ophthalmologist. He studied medicine in Freiburg and Halle, earning his doctorate in 1911. In 1914 he became an assistant at the ophthalmology clinic in Halle, where he practiced medicine for most of his career. Koeppe was awarded the 1922 Von Graefe Award by the German Ophthalmological Society.

Koeppe was a specialist regarding the anatomy of the eye and its internal structure. He is credited with the description of small, white nodules at the pupillary margins found in granulomatous uveitis. These structures are now known as "Koeppe nodules".

Koeppe is also known for popularizing and making improvements to the slit lamp, an ophthalmic device that had been recently devised by Allvar Gullstrand (1862-1930). Also he travelled throughout Europe and North America demonstrating the usage of the slit lamp. The eponymous "Koeppe lens" is a type of goniolens specifically designed for office and operating room examinations, and is often used in laser therapy.

Selected writings

* "Die Diathermie und Lichtbehandlung des Auges". (The diathermy and light treatment of the eye).
* "Die Mikroskopie des lebenden Auges in zwei Bänden" (The microscopy of the living eye, two volumes).

References

* [http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/article/articleDetail.jsp;jsessionid=GDc0mcVTczyq8XGSnSK2GR15QYghyhNkLnHpyzHYrnh1120Q4FLp!542510449?id=339810 Modern Medicine; Ophthalmic Biographies]
* [http://www.meditec.zeiss.com/88256DE3007B916B/0/506FBA0E8FCB598E882571D8007D4B40/$file/spaltlampen_eye_exam_en.pdf Eye Examinations and the Slit Lamp]