Claud Worth

Claud Worth FRCS
Born	1869 Holbeach, Lincolnshire, England
Died	1936 Falmouth, Cornwall, England
Nationality	British
Known for	Ophthalmologist writer Master Mariner

Claud Alley Worth FRCS (1869–1936) was a British ophthalmologist,^[1][2] inventor of the Worth 4 dot test and Worth's Ambyloscope,^[2][3] a pioneer in the orthoptic treatment of squint,^[2][4] a master mariner^[2] and an established author on the subjects of ophthalmology and sailing.^[5][6]

Claud Alley Worth was born in Holbeach, Lincolnshire in 1869, the son of Thomas Mordaunt Worth, scion of an ancient Lincolnshire family,^[2] and Frances Charlotte (née Alley).^[7] He was educated at Bedford Modern School, between 1884 and 1887,^[8] and St Bartholomew's Hospital.^[2] He qualified as MRCS and LRCP in 1893 and was elected FRCS in 1898.^[2][9]

Worth began the study of ophthalmology under Henry Power and Bowater Vernon at St Bartholomew's Hospital and in 1906 joined the staff of Moorfields.^[2] He was, for many years, ophthalmic surgeon to the West Ham Hospital in the East End of London.^[2]

Worth gained fame in two diverse areas of specialisation: the management of childhood squint^[10] and amblyopia, and the sailing and navigation of small yachts.^{[2][11][12][13]} His inventiveness endures, as demonstrated by Worth's 4 dot test and later versions of his original amblyoscope.^{[2][3][9][14]}

Worth's name and books were also familiar to sailors of small yachts.^[2][11] He was 'deeply knowledgeable about currents, harbours and all aspects of seamanship'.^[2][11] He was president of the Little Ship Club, Vice-Commodore of the Royal Cruising Club and a Master mariner.^[2][11]

Worth married Janet Duncan Ritchie in Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire in 1906.^[15] He died in Falmouth, Cornwall, on 24 June 1936 and was survived by his wife and a son.^[2]

• 1939: Worth's Squint; 7th ed. by F. Bernard Chavasse. Baillière & Co.
• 1950: Worth and Chavasse's Squint; 8th ed. by T. Keith Lyle. Baillière, Tindall & Cox
• 1959: Worth and Chavasse's Squint; 9th ed. by T. Keith Lyle and G. J. O. Bridgeman. Baillière, Tindall & Cox