News

Daniel P Ehrlich, head of optometry at Moorfields Eye Hospital, has paid tribute to Janet Helen Silver OBE, former principal optometrist at the hospital, who died on March 25, aged 73.

Silver joined Moorfields in 1964 and after reluctantly taking over as head of department in 1970, she set up the first hospital Low Vision Aid Clinic, assisted first by Liz Gould and then by Andrew Milliken. Under her leadership the department thrived, becoming a centre of international repute.

When Silver retired in 1995, her 'Visual Assessment Department' merged with the Contact Lens Department to produce the current Optometry Department, which now approaches 100 staff. She remained active in the field following her retirement and used her skills to help those in developing countries.

Ehrlich said that Silver had been an inspiration to him and many others whose careers she had helped to mould.

'I would never have considered hospital optometry if it were not for Janet, and many others owe their careers to her. When I started work at Moorfields in 1984, Janet was renowned for being a formidable boss. She was a well-established international figure within hospital optometry and her chosen field of low vision many junior staff lived in fear of Janet. However, Janet went on to nurture the career of many optometrists, many of whom have since gone on to become heads of hospital and university departments a few have qualified in medicine some with great distinction, and some have stayed on at Moorfields. Janet's first ever pre-reg still works in the hospital.'

Ehrlich added that Silver had exacting standards for her own work and insisted that all raised their game to her level. 'Janet's dynamism and enthusiasm made her a difficult woman to say no to. Janet relished a challenge and she continued to drive forward the projects dear to her heart right to the end.'

Silver's work in healthcare was recognised by many organisations. She was proud to receive the OBE for her services to healthcare and earlier this year she was overjoyed to be offered honorary life membership of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.

Silver's interests were not only restricted to optometry and ophthalmology. Her many retirement interests included work with Age Concern and chairing the patient's representatives at University College Hospital. Following her retirement, Silver was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Science by City University in recognition of her services to eye care, thus returning to the Institution where she trained in the 1950s.

Ehrlich said that Silver remained robust in her battle with cancer and was more than once given only weeks to live. Sadly Silver's mother Ruby died a few days before her. Silver is dearly missed by husband Martin, by her children Dan and Sarah from her first marriage to Hal, by Martin's children Michael, Lucy and Tom, her brother Leslie, sister Vivienne, grandchildren and the many people whose careers she fostered and lives she touched.

Janet Helen Silver OBE DSc FCOptom, former principal of optometry, Moorfields Eye Hospital, was born on July 9 1933. She died on March 25, 2007, aged 73.

Providing exclusive eye care news, information and educational needs every week, including a FREE CET programme. Subscribe to Optician Print Edition.