Roy H Steinberg died peacefully on 26 July 1997 at his home after a four year battle with multiple myeloma. The ophthalmic community has lost a good friend and ally. He was one of a breed of visual scientists who was prepared to spend the time, and had the patience, to communicate intelligibly with clinicians. These qualities, in someone who was pre-eminent in science and who was without prejudice, are uncommon. Roy had the desire to bring the advances in science into the clinical forum, which was helped by being medically qualified.

This motivation is exemplified by …