Robert Charles Moon
Encyclopedia
Robert Charles Moon was an ophthalmologist who practiced medicine in England and the United States. He was son of William Moon
(1818-1894), inventor of Moon type
, an embossed alphabet for the blind.
Robert Moon's career choice in ophthalmology was influenced by his experiences as a youth helping his father in translating and transcribing reading matter for the visually handicapped. He initially practiced medicine at the South London Ophthalmic Hospital from 1866 to 1878, which was a facility founded in 1857 by John Zachariah Laurence
. With Dr. Laurence the Laurence-Moon syndrome
is named, which is retinitis pigmentosa
combined with several additional symptoms. In 1879 Moon emigrated to the United States and settled into an ophthalmological practice in Philadelphia.
After his retirement, Moon was involved in several philanthropic
activities for the blind, and became Secretary of the Philadelphia Home Teaching Society. In 1905 he became the editor of the monthly "Moon Magazine", published by Gardner's Trust for the Blind.
William Moon
William Moon, Hon. LLD, FRSA, FRGS was an Englishman who created Moon Type, the first widely-used practical reading alphabet for the blind.- Life and career :...
(1818-1894), inventor of Moon type
Moon type
The Moon System of Embossed Reading is a writing system for the blind, using embossed symbols mostly derived from the Roman alphabet...
, an embossed alphabet for the blind.
Robert Moon's career choice in ophthalmology was influenced by his experiences as a youth helping his father in translating and transcribing reading matter for the visually handicapped. He initially practiced medicine at the South London Ophthalmic Hospital from 1866 to 1878, which was a facility founded in 1857 by John Zachariah Laurence
John Zachariah Laurence
John Zachariah Laurence was an English ophthalmologist who practiced medicine in London. He was the founder of the South London Ophthalmic Hospital in 1857, which later became known as the Royal Eye Clinic....
. With Dr. Laurence the Laurence-Moon syndrome
Laurence-Moon syndrome
Laurence–Moon syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder associated with retinitis pigmentosa, spastic paraplegia, hypogonadism and mental retardation.- Genetics : LMS is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner...
is named, which is retinitis pigmentosa
Retinitis pigmentosa
Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of genetic eye conditions that leads to incurable blindness. In the progression of symptoms for RP, night blindness generally precedes tunnel vision by years or even decades. Many people with RP do not become legally blind until their 40s or 50s and retain some...
combined with several additional symptoms. In 1879 Moon emigrated to the United States and settled into an ophthalmological practice in Philadelphia.
After his retirement, Moon was involved in several philanthropic
Philanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
activities for the blind, and became Secretary of the Philadelphia Home Teaching Society. In 1905 he became the editor of the monthly "Moon Magazine", published by Gardner's Trust for the Blind.