LABORATORY AND BRANCH RESEARCH REVIEWS 121Ophthalmology Branch, NINDB
The Ophthalmology Branch was the last one to be established within
the NINDB intramural clinical research program but grew to be one
of the largest. It eventually separated from the NINDB and became the
founding core of the National Eye Institute.^1 Ludwig von Sallmann was
recruited in 1955 to head the Ophthalmology Branch, which had
been unofficially headed by William Hart and Ralph W. Ryan since
1953 during the ongoing search for an official chief.^2 The Ophthal
mology Branch launched a broad program on the causes and mech
anisms underlying eye diseases, with special attention paid to glaucoma,
cataract, and inflammatory diseases of the orbit.^3
Ludwig von Sallmann, M.D.
Courtesy of the National Library
of Medicine
Von Sallmann’s Section of the Chief oversaw many of the specific
projects. With respect to glaucoma, it: 1) studied thalamic and hypo
thalamic nuclei, peripheral receptors, the formation and outflow of the
aqueous humor of the eye, and the effects of muscle relaxants, all in relation
to internal ocular pressure; and 2) developed tests to diagnose glaucoma
and determine the adequacy of glaucoma therapy.^4 It also studied the