The first eyeglass was invented during the 13th century, but even before that people were already suffering from poor vision. Nearsightedness and farsightedness were quite common. In fact, historical accounts exist of people suffering from poor eyesight. Some but not all of it due was due to their cultures, such as being injured in the eye from war and lack of protection from the UV rays of the sun. So how did the people cope with their poor vision during those times?
Ancient Rome
In ancient Rome, poor vision or vision problems became common, and treatments created used various implements and techniques. The Roman emperor Nero was known to have extreme nearsightedness. Historical accounts of Nero told of him watching the gladiators fight using an emerald because he could not see the fights clearly. The emerald crystal’s concave surface enabled him to see the fights.
At the same time, during the ancient Rome, the Romans developed processes quite advance when it comes to medicine. They have various techniques in treating some of the most common physical ailments. In the case of poor vision, historical records have shown that the ancient Romans treated cataract with surgery. They have a needle-like instrument that they use in removing the cataract. Ancient Roman artifacts have also shown that the Romans used eye ointments for various eye conditions.
Ancient Egypt
Artifacts from ancient Egyptian sites have uncovered several lenses buried alongside the mummies they belong to. Many of these lenses were concave and used for nearsightedness. The lenses developed did not have any loops for the ears that modern glasses have. Nevertheless, the lenses were quite advance and were used to see microscopic carving. Many believe that the creation of theses lenses became designated for use by the carvers or by the kings and their families who had eye problems because they were not that common.
Ancient Arabia
In the Middle East during the ancient times, doctors performed the same surgeries and treatments that the ancient Greeks did. Medical books from the Greeks became translated in Arabic, and they continued with the Greek practices. They did not improve on the medical techniques of the past although they developed different departments for their hospitals.
The Vikings
The discovery of lenses in Gotland led many experts into believing that the Vikings were already using lenses as telescope even before the eyeglass became discovered. The lenses were powerful and precise in their elliptical shapes. However, it cannot be confirmed if the Vikings were the ones who actually invented these lenses. Some experts believed that they were made in Byzantine and delivered to the land by the Vikings.
Ancient Babylon
Similar with the Vikings, although no lenses were ever found, it was believed that the astrological observations and documents made by the Babylonians proved that they were using lenses as telescopes. They were able to observe the movements of the distant planets and stars, and this would not have been possible without the use of some form of a lens.
The ancient civilizations strove to preserve the sights of their people and correct any vision problems that they may have. If you have any problems with your vision or eye condition, you can visit Houston Lasik, the leading Lasik or laser eye surgery center in Houston.
Houston Lasik leads in providing premium LASIK technologies to Houston, Sugar Land, and the surrounding region. The center’s award-winning medical director introduced revolutionary technologies such as iLASIK to the region. This technology is used by NASA astronauts, Navy SEALS and Air Force fighter pilots. At Houston Lasik, you can now receive the same treatment. For more information, please call (281) 240-0478.
Via
http://www.the-lasik-directory.com/article_history-ophthalmology2-2.html
http://the-earth-story.com/post/105680538575/nero-and-an-emerald-view-it-is-historically-noted
http://www.the-lasik-directory.com/article_history-ophthalmology2-2.html
http://www.ancient-wisdom.com/optics.htm:
