Philip Henry Mules (1843–1905) and his innovations in ocular surgery

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the present study is to present an historical overview of the innovations in ocular surgery introduced by the very important surgeon, but mainly unknown, Philip Henry Mules (1843–1905).

Methods: Philip Henry Mules introduced the Mules’ evisceration operation and the Mules’ ptosis operation. He also invented surgical instruments such as Mules’ scoop, Mules’ repository, and Mules’ enucleation scissors. He was interested also in ocular infection.

Results: Many of the innovations in ocular surgery introduced by Philip Henry Mules are still in use.

Conclusions: Philip Henry Mules (1843–1905) was a respectable English ophthalmologist, who despite his short life, only 62-years-old, his innovations in ocular surgery were considered a breakthrough in the late nineteenth century, because in almost every textbook of ophthalmology they were cited and deserved a great merit.

Keywords:

• Mules’ evisceration operation
• Mules’ ptosis operation
• Mules’ scoop
• Mules’ repositor
• Mules’ enucleation scissors

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.