Barrie Russell Jones (4 January 1921, in Silverstream, New Zealand – 19 August 2009, in Tauranga, New Zealand) was a British-New Zealand ophthalmologist, ophthalmic surgeon, and pioneer of preventive ophthalmology.[1][2]

Barrie R. Jones
Born4 January 1921
Silverstream, New Zealand
Died19 August 2009
Tauranga, New Zealand
Alma materVictoria University of Wellington
University of Otago
SpousePauline Jones

Biography

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Jones studied physics and chemistry with B.Sc. from Victoria College in Wellington and then medicine with M.B., B.Chir. from the University of Otago in Dunedin, where he specialized in ophthalmology under Rowland Wilson. From 1951 Jones worked in London at the ophthalmology department of Moorfields Eye Hospital and at Moorfields' Institute of Ophthalmology under Stewart Duke-Elder. In 1963 he became a professor of clinical ophthalmology of the University of London at Moorfields' Institute of Ophthalmology, continuing in that professorial chair until 1981.[3]

Jones was one of the world's leading experts on trachoma and made important contributions to its prevention and treatment. He pioneered microsurgery of the lacrimal drainage system and surgery of the eyelids (often deformed by trachoma).[4]

From 1965 to 1977 Jones carried out fieldwork in Iran on the isolation and culture of the causative organism, Chlamydia trachomatis, its transmission within impoverished communities, and its control. ... in 1981 he resigned his chair at London University to establish and lead the International Centre for Eye Health, a new department of preventive ophthalmology at the Institute. Its purpose was to apply the science of epidemiology and the principles of public health to eye health in the developing world, and to train a cadre of professionals who could bring services to the socially remote and the rural poor.[5]

He was a prime mover in a large clinical trial in Nigeria that demonstrated the safely and efficacy of ivermectin in the prevention of blindness from onchocerciasis.[6] He was the author or co-author of 23 books and hundreds of research publications on a wide range of subjects, including keratoconjunctivitis, pemphigoid, dry eye syndromes,[2] and eye infections caused by bacteria, viruses,[7] fungi,[8] amebae,[9] or various forms of parasites.

In 2002, Jones and his wife Pauline left the UK and returned to New Zealand.[10] Upon his death at age 88, he was survived by his wife and four children.

Selected publications

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  • with Chandler R. Dawson & M. L. Tarizzo: Guide to trachoma control in programmes for the prevention of blindness. 1981, ISBN 9241541571

Awards and honours

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References

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  1. ^ Watts Geoff (2009). "Barrie Russell Jones". The Lancet. 374 (9701): 1590. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(09)61940-1. S2CID 53273457.
  2. ^ a b Johnson G (December 2009). "Prof Barrie Jones". Community Eye Health. 22 (71): 47. PMC 2823112.
  3. ^ Professor Barrie Russell Jones, Winner of the 1987 King Faisal International Prize for Medicine, kfip.org
  4. ^ Jones, Barrie Russell – Biographical entry – Plarr's Lives of the Fellows Online
  5. ^ Barrie Jones. In: The Daily Telegraph. 31 August 2009
  6. ^ Abiose A.; Jones B. R.; Murdoch I.; et al. (1993). "Reduction in incidence of optic nerve disease with annual ivermectin to control onchocerciasis". The Lancet. 341 (8838): 130–134. doi:10.1016/0140-6736(93)90002-X. PMID 8093742. S2CID 25797908.
  7. ^ Dunlop EM; Jones BR; Al-Hussaini MK (1964). "Genital Infection in Association with TRIC Virus Infection of the Eye—III: III. CLINICAL AND OTHER FINDINGS PRELIMINARY REPORT". British Journal of Venereal Diseases. 40 (1): 33–42. doi:10.1136/sti.40.1.33. PMC 1047608. PMID 14133275.
  8. ^ Jones B. R.; Clayton Y. M.; Oji E. O. (1979). "Recognition and chemotherapy of oculomycosis". Postgraduate Medical Journal. 55 (647): 625–628. doi:10.1136/pgmj.55.647.625. PMC 2425653. PMID 523353.
  9. ^ Nagington J.; Watson P. G.; Playfair T. J.; McGill J.; Jones B.; Steele A. M. (1974). "Amoebic infection of the eye". The Lancet. 304 (7896): 1537–1540. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(74)90285-2. PMID 4140981.
  10. ^ Leaver PK (5 September 2009). "Obituary. Barrie R Jones" (PDF). BMJ. 339: b3543. doi:10.1136/bmj.b3543. S2CID 71352306.