The Gladiator's Tears: Epiphora From Ancient Rome.

This article examines the clinical presentation of epiphora in Ancient Rome through the historico-medical analysis of the literary evidence provided by the verses by the poet Juvenal in his Satire VI. A gladiator's ophthalmological problem is interpreted as epiphora caused by traumatic injuries to the craniofacial region, compatible with those described in the palaeopathological literature. This analysis also focuses on the history of epiphora in antiquity and its treatment.

Lacrimal disorders and surgery: historical perspectives.

The history and evolution of lacrimal surgeries has been a fascinating journey. And yet, as we move forward on this path in time, it appears not to have attracted students in sufficient numbers. This article provides a comprehensive history of surgical interventions for lacrimal disorders spanning the ancient and medieval eras as well as its snapshot in modern times. The article also acquaints the readers with both lacrimal surgeons of the early days and important treatises on lacrimal surgery that together contributed to its advancement.

About vital staining of the eye and eyelids. I. The anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the eyelid margins and the lacrimal puncta by E. Marx. 1924.

This article is a translation of the original article authored by Eugen Marx and published in 1924.1 Amazingly, many of the issues addressed in the 1924 publication are now, >80 years later, of prime interest for both understanding the lid margin and ocular surface and thus for dry eye diagnosis and treatment. To assist the reader and possibly to provoke further contemplation on a particular section of the translation, we have inserted comments, identified throughout the text. All references, in their original format, have been included in this translation, except those referred to in a few paragraphs that were not readily understood in today's technical language and which were omitted. The first figure of the original article is not included in this translation because it was referred to in one of the few omitted paragraphs.

Epiphora in facial paralysis.

Current management concepts of epiphora in established facial palsy are reviewed and compared with those advocated by McLaughlin and criticized by Stallard in 1949.

The Kaleff-Hollwich technique and results of external dacryocysto-rhinostomy operation.

After a review of the history of lacrimal surgery the author describes the techniques of dacryocystorhinostomy which are currently performed. The ideal method is that of Ohm (1921) and Dupuy-Dutemps (1921) with its totally closed mucosal anastomosis. Because of the technical problems demonstrated with this technique the author recommends that of Kaleff (1937), modified by Hollwich (1977). The advantages of this method are: 1. The almost closed mucosal cavity which permits primary would healing. 2. The easy strain-free practicability particularly in cases of small scarred sac and pre-positioned ethmoid cells. 3. The sure fixation of the mucosal roof at the subcutis particularly in cases of marked swelling. Finally a survey of long-term and short term observations on all 324 cases from 1964 to 1977 is given.