[Georg Friedrich Handel's eye disease]

Journal/Book: Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd. 1993; 203: 223-8.

Abstract: In his last years Georg Friedrich Handel suffered from a loss of sight not definitely to be defined. Based on primary sources, this disease, often mentioned in his biographies, is described and analysed. Altogether, Handel's eye-disease can be best interpreted as a central vascular disorder with degeneration of retina or with ischemic changes in the corresponding nuclei or tractus, complicated by a simple senile or post-traumatic cataract. Handel's profile of risk factors points most probably to a vascular degeneration of macula or a damage of choroidal vessels. Handel's eye-disease must be seen in relation to his cerebro-vascular disorder. His most probable strokes as well as his loss of sight were of vital importance in his biography, as is reflected even by his compositions. However, both disorders did not fundamentally influence his creativity. Only in a few compositions a reference to the loss of sight can be found. Apart from changes in concert-practising during his last years Handel's eye-disease, however, had no direct effect on his musical work.

Note: Georg Friedrich Handels Augenkrankheit.

Keyword(s): English Abstract; Germany ; History of Medicine, 17th Cent.; History of Medicine, 18th Cent.; Portraits Blindness history; Famous Persons; Music history; Retinal Diseases history Human; Male

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