Lucien Howe

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Lucien Howe (1848-1928) was an American physician who spent much of his career as a professor of ophthalmology at the University of Buffalo. In 1876 he was instrumental in the creation of the Buffalo Eye and Ear Infirmary.

Howe is mainly remembered for his work in the prevention of blindness. In 1926 he established the Howe Laboratory at Harvard Medical School for research and study of biochemistry, genetics, neurobiology, and physiology concerning the eye. Also the American Ophthalmology Society names its most prestigious award- the Lucien Howe Medal after him. Howe was a catalyst in New York State concerning the mandatory application of silver nitrate drops into the eyes of newborns as a disinfectant in order to prevent neonatal infection and possible blindness.

Howe was also a major figure in support of the controversial science of eugenics. From a hereditary standpoint, he believed that eugenics could be a positive tool in the fight against preventable blindness. He theorized that by sterilizing the blind, the undesirable trait could eventually be eradicated.