The Stereo Orthopter

Historical Significance: The manual describes the stereo orthopter, an instrument for giving orthoptic exercises to build ductions, positive and negative fusional convergence, treating amblyopia and suppression. It was designed to provide the same functions as the Worth Black ambyloscope and the Wells Stereoscopic cards in the one instrument. The American Optical Company was established in 1833 and incorporated in 1869. It was located in Southbridge Massachusetts USA to make lenses and spectacles and it quickly grew to be a very large company that also made ophthalmic and photographic equipment. It was, along with Bausch and Lomb, also in the USA, and Clement Clarke and Keeler in the UK, very influential in promoting innovation and the expansion of the scope of practice of optometry. (See the AO Steven phoropter Cat No 550 the eikonmeter Cat No 473 as two examples of innovation by this company). Picture is of one of the Amercian Optical Company's many buildings in Southbridge