Biography:Geoffrey Vernon Ball

Prof. Geoffrey Vernon Ball
Born	Geoffrey Vernon Ball 19 May 1926 Sutton Coldfield,England
Died	27 March 2015
Occupation	Professor of Ophthalmics
Years active	1948–2015
Height	1.8 m (5 ft 11 in)

Prof. Geoffrey Vernon Ball was one of the first lecturing professors of ophthalmics, pioneering it's early inception through the 1950s while head of Department at Aston University, England . He was appointed the first full-time lecturing precision in ophthalmic optics outside of London. in the 1970s Ball together with his colleague Michael Wolffe conducted an extensive experience for Aston students in NHS hospitals all over the united kingdom including Exeter, Cheltenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, Bournemouth and Nottingham. Mark Smith, a friend of Professor Ball’s, described him as ‘an excellent academic and a very kind man’.

"Facilities? In 1948, to put it bluntly, there were none! The only room allocated was the Glass Blowing Workshop (run part-time by a Mr Blower!) when I first went there, and you had to hang cardboard charts and astigmatic fans on the walls and take them down afterwards. All ophthalmic lectures had to take place in that room. (There was) a very small general library, a few items of ophthalmic equipment - synoptophore, near-point rules, trial cases and one bench on the side of the room for grinding wheels, polishing mops and so on. There was one tiny blackboard about 4 feet by 3 feet. (The Department) did eventually get a small room sufficient to make two cubicles for eye examination. That very small room (maybe 7 metres x 5 metres) was behind the Glass blowing room. (It was) windowless, airless and extremely hot."

— Geoffrey Vernon Ball, on the early years of ophthalmic research

"At the time, professors were a rare breed. Geoff Ball had served as a junior officer in the Royal Navy during WW2. He then qualified as an ophthalmic optician before starting on his academic career. His department at Aston was probably the most friendly one that I have ever encountered. He was not a proud man but was proud of his profession and was conscious of the changes which were happening. At a later date, when I needed advice, he was equally supportive of me with that same compassion and wisdom which he gave to everyone."

— Mark Smith, on the early years of ophthalmic research and working alongside Geoffrey Ball

WW2

In World War Two Geoffrey Vernon Ball served as a junior officer in the Royal Navy, Ball is mentioned in the War time biography 'In Which They Served' by Brian Lavery one of Britain's leading naval historians and a prolific author, published by Conway in 2009, the book dating the years 1939-1945

Patients for examination in 1948

The earliest examinations conducted by G. V Ball and his students were advertised, Patients for examination were obtained via the local Labour Exchange. They were mainly 'minor actresses' resting until the Pantomime Season began and were paid half a crown (£0.2s.6d) for their attendance.

Calling all Opticians!, the 1950's

To improve early interest in Optometry in the 1950's G.V Ball via Aston University issued career leaflets aimed at attracting entrants to a strange new profession with 'good prospects of advancement and remuneration' to a boy or girl of the right type'. c.1955