History of ophthalmic surgery and contributions of Unani scholars

ABSTRACT

Ophthalmological diseases mainly cataract has its own history from the treatment point of view. Hippocrates the Father of Medicine himself treated cataract by depressed or couched method, since in his time the same methodology was adopted by other Greek scholars. When Tib reached into the land of Arabia the system derived other techniques and instruments for the management of cataract. Surgeons of the Arab land and renowned Unani scholars such as Galen, Albucasis [Zahravi], Isa bin Kahhal, Ibn Al-Haitham and Avenzoar [Ibn Zohr]. They operated and managed the cataract cases and were known as renowned Ophthalmologists of their times. Later on these pioneer works were transmitted as well as translated by French scholars and other Europeans. They modernized such works and finally transmitted through their hands. Despite having rich literature rendered by Unani scholars and works done by Unani and Arab scholars, the knowledge has been transferred and unfortunately we are the follower in todays scenario