LAUSR

Regarding the early history of laser, it is generally accepted that the technique of retinal light photocoagulation was first pioneered by Gerd Meyer-Schwickerath in 1949. The renowned German ophthalmologist developed the technique to obtain clinically useful results and is worldwide considered the father of retinal photocoagulation. Nevertheless, we believe that the Spanish ophthalmologist José Morón (Seville, 1918-2000) was really the author of the first known experience of therapeutic photocoagulation of the retina, because he had previously used a similar technique in rabbit and human eyes in 1945 and 1946, respectively. These experiences already appeared in his doctoral dissertation, which was defended in Madrid in 1946, almost three years before the pioneering presentation of Meyer-Schwickerath. Despite this, Morón was permanently forgotten in the history of retinal photocoagulation. We would like to highlight his earlier experimental studies and reclaim the figure of this Spanish ophthalmologist, which deserves international recognition. This case is an example of a common phenomenon that inventors of new ideas are often not cited appropriately.