[Ophthalmologists in the proximity of Adolf Hitler]

Klin Monbl Augenheilkd. 2012 Oct;229(10):1036-44. doi: 10.1055/s-0032-1312781. Epub 2012 Jun 4.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Adolf Hitler met or at least knew about 5 ophthalmologists. The chair of ophthalmology in Berlin, Walther Löhlein, personally examined Hitler's eyes at least two times. The chair of ophthalmology in Breslau, Walter Dieter, developed "air raid protection spectacles" with the aid of high representatives of the NS-system and probably Adolf Hitler himself. Heinrich Wilhelm Kranz became rector of the universities of Giessen and Frankfurt/Main. He was known as a very strict advocate of the NS-race hygiene. Werner Zabel made plans for Hitler's diet and tried to interfere with Hitler's medical treatment. Finally, Hellmuth Unger was an influential representative of the medical press and a famous writer. Three of his novels with medical topics were made into a film which Hitler probably saw. Hitler had, so to say, a small "ophthalmological proximity" which, however, did not play a significant role for himself or the NS-state.

Publication types

  • Biography
  • Historical Article
  • Portrait

MeSH terms

  • Famous Persons*
  • Germany
  • Government / history*
  • History, 19th Century
  • History, 20th Century
  • National Socialism / history*
  • Ophthalmology / history*

Personal name as subject

  • Adolf Hitler
  • Walther Löhlein
  • Walter Dieter
  • Wilhelm Kranz
  • Werner Zabel
  • Hellmuth Unger