How Ophthalmology Came to Be
Since ancient times, humanity has faced a variety of vision problems. Even in Aristotle’s era, conditions such as nearsightedness and farsightedness were known, not to mention inflammatory processes and eye injuries. It was in those distant times that doctors made their first attempts to correct vision problems and treat eye diseases.
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Ophthalmology in the Ancient World
This branch of medicine has deep roots dating back to the time of ancient Babylon (about 4,000 years ago). The Code of Hammurabi, for example, contains interesting references to eye diseases. It states that if a doctor opens an abscess in the eye using a bronze lancet and damages the eye in the process, his fingers should be cut off. This indicates that eye treatment already existed in those distant times.
Information about eye diseases is found not only on cuneiform tablets from Mesopotamia, but also in Egyptian papyri and ancient Indian texts. Ancient physicians possessed the knowledge to remove cataracts and diagnose conditions such as blepharitis and dacryocystitis. But when it came to treatment, they often sought the help of priests and used aromatic potions designed to drive out the evil spirits believed to be responsible for the ailments.
The first to attempt to free ophthalmology from mysticism was Hippocrates. He insisted on the need to study eye diseases as objective phenomena. Hippocrates assessed the condition of the eye based on its appearance (though this was erroneous) and seemed to have guessed at the existence of the optic nerve, although its functions remained a mystery to him. Nevertheless, he proposed a variety of methods for treating eye conditions—ranging from diet and foot baths to incisions in the scalp.
The Roman scholar Galen made a significant contribution to the understanding of eye anatomy. He described in detail structures such as the retina, cornea, iris, lacrimal ducts, and eyelids. Galen also identified the lens as a key part of the eye, playing an important role in vision.
Methods of Ancient Ophthalmologists
The instruments used by ancient ophthalmologists remained virtually unchanged for many centuries. Although we do not have complete information about the methods used by ancient physicians, it can be assumed that one of the most serious procedures they performed was “coaching.” This procedure involved treating cataracts, during which a needle was used to attempt to displace the cloudy lens. Unfortunately, such interventions often led to severe complications, including complete loss of vision.
As for eyeglasses, they did not exist in ancient times, although people already had an understanding of optics. Lenses made of polished quartz or crystal began to be manufactured even before our era, but they were most often used as jewelry. For example, the oldest known lens, found in ancient Assyria and named the “Lens of Nimrod” (after the biblical king), served as a decorative element on furniture.
The only reference to the use of spectacles in the ancient world can be found in the works of Pliny. This Roman author mentions that Emperor Nero watched gladiatorial combats through an “emerald.” Perhaps he suffered from nearsightedness, and the gemstone served as a prototype for corrective eyewear. There is also a theory that Nero was an albino, in which case the emerald may have served as protection from sunlight. However, it is also possible that the emperor simply loved the color green.
Source: okomed.ru<\ , website of the “Okomed” ophthalmology clinic, Moscow
