Marc Amsler

Marc Amsler (born February 5, 1891 in Vevey, Switzerland; died May 3, 1968) was a professor of ophthalmology at der Zurich Eye Clinic at the University of Zurich. He took the position as professor of ophthalmology in Zurich in 1944. His predecessor was Prof. Alfred Vogt. Prior to assuming the position at Zurich, Dr. Amsler was chief ophthalmologist in Lausanne, since 1935. His predecessor there, under whom he worked beforehand, was Jules Gonin. He is best known for the Amsler grid test. He also contributed to the progress in understanding of uveitis. The Amsler grid was an improvement over the initial work done by the ophthalmologist Edmond Landolt. The grid tests the function of the macula, a part of the retina, so that macular degeneration can be identified. Amsler also published works on keratoconus. In 1951, Dr. Amsler performed the first corneal transplantation at the Zurich Eye clinic. He was professor and chief of the Zurich Eye Clinic until 1961. His successor was Rudolf Witmer.