Abstract
Though contemporary recorded history gives a lot of
prominence to the rise and development of ophthalmology
in western civilization, the birthplace of ophthalmology
is arguably in Africa. There is archaeological evidence
of an oculist in the Egyptian court as early as 2500BC.
Egyptian papyrus records from 1600BC have an entire
section devoted to eye disease and couching was already
being practiced. Ophthalmology has evolved from
these early descriptions of eye conditions, through the
elucidation of ocular anatomy and to interventions to
improve and even restore eye health.
References
Though contemporary recorded history gives a lot of
prominence to the rise and development of ophthalmology
in western civilization, the birthplace of ophthalmology
is arguably in Africa. There is archaeological evidence
of an oculist in the Egyptian court as early as 2500BC.
Egyptian papyrus records from 1600BC have an entire
section devoted to eye disease and couching was already
being practiced. Ophthalmology has evolved from
these early descriptions of eye conditions, through the
elucidation of ocular anatomy and to interventions to
improve and even restore eye health.