Adolf Eugen Fick

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Adolf Eugen Fick (September 3, 1829 – August 21, 1901) was a German physician and physiologist who made significant contributions to the fields of ophthalmology and physiology. He is best known for his work on contact lenses and the Fick principle.

Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]

Adolf Eugen Fick was born in Kassel, Germany. He studied medicine at the University of Marburg, where he earned his medical degree in 1851. Fick was influenced by his uncle, Franz Ludwig Fick, who was also a noted physiologist.

Career[edit | edit source]

After completing his education, Fick worked as an assistant to Carl Ludwig at the University of Zurich. He later became a professor of physiology at the University of Würzburg in 1868, where he spent the majority of his career.

Contributions to Ophthalmology[edit | edit source]

In 1888, Fick developed the first successful contact lens. These lenses were made of glass and were designed to correct vision by sitting on the cornea of the eye. Although they were not practical for long-term use, Fick's invention laid the groundwork for the development of modern contact lenses.

Fick Principle[edit | edit source]

The Fick principle is a method used to measure cardiac output, which is the volume of blood the heart pumps per minute. This principle is based on the measurement of oxygen consumption and the difference in oxygen content between arterial and venous blood. The Fick principle is widely used in cardiology and anesthesiology.