PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

History of Ophthalmology

The word ophthalmology has its roots in the Greek language, where ophthalmos means "eye" and logos means "thought or discourse."

2012-08-01
CHICAGO, IL, August 01, 2012 (Press-News.org) The word ophthalmology has its roots in the Greek language, where ophthalmos means "eye" and logos means "thought or discourse." Therefore, ophthalmology quite literally means "the science of the eyes." An ophthalmologist is a medical specialist who studies the anatomy, physiology, and diseases of the eye in order to diagnose and treat eye disorders and other conditions.

Early Developments in Ophthalmology

All the way back in 800 BC, Sushruta - an Indian surgeon - wrote a document in Sanskrit that described over 75 different ocular diseases, as well as surgical techniques and instruments to treat them. Sushruta has been hailed as the world's first cataract surgeon.

Before Hippocrates, people mostly based their concept of the eye's anatomy on speculation. They recognized the cornea as the outer coating of the eye and the pupil as its inner layer, with a fluid at the center of the eye. At that point, it was believed that this "eye fluid" transmitted vision to the brain through a tube.

Aristotle was the first to apply empiricism to these ideas. After dissecting animal eyes, he discovered three layers instead of two, and found that the surrounding layers of the eyes were juxtaposed. Along with his contemporaries, Aristotle postulated that three tubes led from the eye to the brain, not one.

Over the centuries, further discoveries were made that proved the eye was increasingly more complex than people assumed.

Introducing New Technology

In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, physicians began to develop devices and instruments that enabled them to more accurately study the eye, including:

- Hand lenses
- Microscopes
- Methods of fixing the eye for study
- Methods of freezing the eye

Great Britain's first ophthalmic surgeon was John Freke, who was appointed to his position in 1727 at St. Bartholomew's Hospital. The first dedicated ophthalmic hospital was established in 1805; it is now known as Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, England. Moorfields became a hub for ophthalmic research, enabling clinical developments that have paved the way for modern ophthalmology.

Ophthalmology Today

Modern advancements in the techniques, technology, and instrumentation used by ophthalmologists have led to innovations such as Laser Vision Correction. Each year, more and more people seek out LASIK eye surgery - along with other refractive surgeries like PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) - to improve their vision and reduce their dependence on glasses and contact lenses. Meanwhile, common procedures like cataract surgery have become more efficient, effective, and safe than ever.

If you would like more information about ophthalmology, please visit the website of the experienced Chicago ophthalmologist Dr. Mark Golden at Doctors For Visual Freedom at www.doctorsforvisualfreedom.com.


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

I Have a Large Amount of Belly Fat - Is Liposuction a Good Option for Me?

2012-08-01
Liposuction is a body contouring technique that has been proven effective at helping men and women tighten and tone various areas of their body. The most common areas to have liposuction performed include: - Thighs - Hips - Abdomen - Back - Chest - Arms - Neck and face This technique is ideal for removing up to 10 pounds of fat from these areas of the body and is particularly useful for people who are within 25 pounds of their goal weight but suffer from stubborn fatty tissue that will not respond to diet and exercise. Abdominal Liposuction Liposuction ...

Child Custody

2012-08-01
Child custody can be one of the most embittering aspects of a divorce, or it may be an amicable agreement reached between both spouses. However a decision is reached, it must be approved by a judge. If you and your spouse are unable to reach an agreement, the court will reach one for you. Various factors will be considered when deciding what is in the best interest of the child. How is Child Custody Decided? The court's overriding goal is determining what is in the best interest of your child, or children. Various factors may influence child custody determination, ...

Foods and Drinks That Stain Your Teeth

2012-08-01
There is some truth in the old adage "you are what you eat," and the evidence can be especially noticeable on your teeth. In fact, stained or otherwise discolored teeth is one of the most common cosmetic dental problems. The porous nature of tooth enamel makes teeth vulnerable to staining, and people who regularly consume dark-colored foods and beverages are especially susceptible to premature tooth discoloration. It is not just the color of foods and drinks that contributes to staining, however; acidic foods and beverages can result in wearing down tooth enamel ...

Face and Neck Enhancement

2012-08-01
As you age, gravity, genetics, sun exposure, and lifestyle choices will all begin to become apparent in the appearance of your face and neck. Loose, saggy skin, wrinkles, fine lines, sun spots, and scars can all detract from the natural beauty of your face and leave you feeling older than you actually are. Fortunately, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon can offer you a number of face and neck procedures that can greatly improve your appearance. With the right procedure, or combination of procedures, you can take years off of your face and neck and restore a softer, ...

Questions About Porcelain Veneers

2012-08-01
What are porcelain veneers? Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin shells of porcelain that can be placed over the front of your teeth to correct a number of common cosmetic dental problems. Most commonly, porcelain veneers are used to correct issues such as teeth that are gapped, crooked, chipped, cracked, irregularly or unevenly sized, or stained below the enamel by medications or mineralization. Do porcelain veneers offer functional benefits? Porcelain veneers are largely considered a cosmetic dentistry solution but this does not mean they are without their functional ...

Mini Implants

2012-08-01
Mini dental implants provide a way to stabilize and secure your dentures. Although dentures continue to be a viable tooth replacement option for numerous individuals, dentures continue to have the disadvantage of instability. Some people experience discomfort and irritation of the gums while wearing dentures. Dentures can also slip loose while you chew and speak. Mini implants anchor your dentures in place so you can enjoy the confidence of durable teeth. What are Mini Dental Implants? Like traditional dental implants, mini implants are titanium posts implanted into ...

Dental Implant Candidacy

2012-08-01
Dental implants provide a durable, comfortable and natural-looking way to replace missing teeth. In general, anyone who is missing teeth is a potential candidate for dental implants. Although certain factors may mean dental implants are not right for you, these factors can usually be managed to improve your candidacy. Dental Implant Candidacy Factors Dental implant candidates: - Have one or several missing teeth, or are missing all their teeth. - Desire a long-term tooth replacement option. - Want a natural-looking tooth replacement. - Desire more comfortable ...

Surgical Errors

2012-08-01
Surgical errors are unfortunately common. Although classed in the category of "never events," or types of medical malpractice that should never occur, surgical errors such as amputating the wrong body part persist. There are many things that patients can do to try to protect themselves from surgical errors, but in many cases even the best practices cannot prevent you from this severe type of medical malpractice, although you may be able to receive compensation for injuries suffered. The Scope of the Problem Dozens of people every year may suffer from wrong ...

Dental Implants for Supporting Dentures

2012-08-01
Dentures are one of the oldest methods of tooth replacement. In the last few decades, improvement to denture design has made the devices more comfortable, functional and natural-looking than ever before. Dentures remain an affordable option for many patients; however, dentures continue to have several disadvantages compared to other tooth replacement approaches. Many of these disadvantages can be remedied by utilizing dental implants to support dentures. Advantages of Implant-Supported Dentures Under normal circumstances, dentures have a tendency to cause some discomfort ...

Sometimes, Dangerous Intersections Can Be Fixed Only After Community Activism

2012-08-01
Middle school students in the Bronx have taken up the cause of improving the safety of city streets. After three years of lobbying the city, they can finally point to a result, although it was not the result they wanted. The students, members of a youth program called Bronx Helpers, have tried to get a traffic light installed at the intersection of East 172nd Street and Townsend Avenue. The students say that motorists speed down Townsend Avenue without regard for pedestrians. Moreover, they say it's difficult for pedestrians trying to cross the street to see oncoming ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Researchers find possible cause for increasing polarization

From soft to solid: How a coral stiffens its skeleton on demand

New software tool MARTi fast-tracks identification and response to microbial threats

Rare brain cell may hold the key to preventing schizophrenia symptoms

A new tool to find hidden ‘zombie cells’

New Cleveland Clinic research finds up to 5% of Americans carry genetic mutations associated with cancer risk

Once tadpoles lose lungs, they never get them back

Small group of users drive invasive species awareness on social media

One bad safety review can tank an Airbnb booking — Even among thousands of positive ones, new study finds

Text-based system speeds up hospital discharges to long-term care

California schools are losing tree canopy

How people learn computer programming

Exploring a mechanism of psychedelics

Scientists can now explore mechanisms behind attachment issues

Researchers watched students’ brains as they learned to program

An AI-powered lifestyle intervention vs human coaching in the diabetes prevention program

AI-powered diabetes prevention program shows similar benefits to those led by people

New study may transform diagnosis of Britain’s number one cancer

Stillbirths in the United States

How animals get their spots, and why they are beautifully imperfect

Stillbirths in the U.S. higher than previously reported, often occur with no clinical risk factors

Durability of 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines against JN.1 subvariants

Online unsupervised Tai Chi intervention for knee pain and function in people with knee osteoarthritis

A nose for microbes: how hunger tunes the brain

TRF1 protein loss reduces body fat and improves metabolic health in mice without shortening telomeres

JMIR Medical Education invites submissions on bias, diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence in medical education

SwRI receives $9.9 million contract to assess reliability of F-16 landing gear components

Computer scientists build AI tool to spot risky and unenforceable contract terms

Self-affirmations can boost well-being, study finds

New certification helps clinicians advance digital cardiac care

[Press-News.org] History of Ophthalmology
The word ophthalmology has its roots in the Greek language, where ophthalmos means "eye" and logos means "thought or discourse."