Carl Friedrich Richard Förster (15 November 1825 – 7 July 1902) was a German ophthalmologist born in the town of Lissa (today Leszno, Poland).
He received his medical doctorate in 1849, and for most of his career was associated with the University of Breslau.
The linear variation of visual performance that they described is sometimes referred to as the Aubert-Foerster law.
A Förster perimeter was an instrument used to measure an individual's field of vision.
He also devised a specialized photometer to determine the smallest amount of light that will permit an object to be visible.