Eye Care Professionals

Dr. P. Harvey, OD, MPH

Optometry 10

History of Medicine and Optometry

Early Man - Prehistoric Times

sought supernatural explanations for catastrophic events; felt demons/spirits control events
trephination: when holes are cut into peoples heads to release evil spirits
Hippocrates (460 - 377 BC)

Greek physician who is considered to be the Father of Medicine

developed humoral theory that attributed disease to the various fluids of the body; that is, disease
was caused by physical causes (the body humors) rather than demons

documented signs and symptoms and analyzed possible causes and associations (epidemiology)

developed ethical principles that the physician's primary obligation was to the patient (Hippocratic oath)
Medicine in the Middle Ages (~400 - ~1400 AD)

period between the decline of Rome and the beginning of the Middle Ages
Dark Ages (aka Medieval Period) for first 600 years

Western Europe: because of raids and wars, cities were walled in defense which became filthy
and disease-ridden; very little advancement in medicine
impact of the Black Plaque
Renaissance Period (~1400s - 1500s)

represents the end of the Dark and Middle Ages and the beginning of times of medical and
scientific discoveries as well as cultural advancements
Anesthesia

in 1830-40s, 'ether frolics' and 'laughing gas parties' were popular

physician used ether on a reluctant party-going patient

its success quickly spread to the rest of the world

Antisepsis and Sanitation

Joseph Lister
(1827-1912)
England
in 1870s was impressed by Pasteur's work and felt bacteria was in air and around patients
developed antisepsis used in hospitals and for surgery and greatly decreased mortality

Florence Nightingale (1820-1910)

England
worked in military hospitals; was appalled by conditions in which the wounded were kept
created new standards for the care of wounded and sick; decreased mortality rate
founded fist school of nursing
Early health care providers and physicians

various unregulated groups (allopaths, homeopaths, naturopaths, botanical healers, medical physicians)

physicians - elevated professional standards (American Medical Association)

dentists

pharmacists (apothecary)
Development of Glasses

European lensmakers made lenses; frames made out of whalebones, horns and wood

range of prescriptive glasses expanded

convex lenses
~1285 AD for presbyopia
concave lenses
~1480 AD for myopia
bifocals lenses
~1785 AD for distance and near vision (Benjamin Franklin)
cylindrical lenses
~1825 AD for astigmatism
Early Spectacle Peddlers

traveled around America with prefabricated glasses

Early Optical Shops
developed methods of testing and prescribing for vision problems
first vision chart was developed by Snellen (1862)
refraction was developed as a scientific procedure for prescribing glasses

 opticians divided into two groups:

dispensing opticians: their fit glasses from prescriptions written by physicians
refracting opticians: they examined patients, and prescribed and dispensed glasses
until ~1903-4 optometrists were referred to as opticians
Optometric Education
in 1890 an optometric education usually consisted of a 2-week course in refraction offered by optical
companies who sold basic equipment. There were as many as 60 optical schools in the early 1900s and
they ranged from formalized programs to correspondence schools; most were for-profit. When education
requirements were established for optometry schools, many schools were disqualified or later folded.
the optometry school at the University of California at Berkeley was started in 1923 in the Physics Dept.
in 1941 Berkeley established a separate School of Optometry (2-year program)
in 1966 expanded to a 4-year program and gave the doctor of optometry degree
Optometry in the 20th Century
many advances and expansion of knowledge responsibilities in all areas

The "3 O's"

Opticians

Optometrists

Ophthalmologists

The Roles and Responsibilities of Optometrists

refractions and glasses

contact lenses
pediatrics
binocular vision problems
ocular and systemic diseases (anterior, posterior, cataracts, glaucoma, etc.)
surgery co-management
low vision (for visually impaired)
advanced technology and research

Common Myths about Vision

Is it bad for your eyes if you sit too close to the TV?
Did I become more nearsighted because I didnt eat my carrots?
Does it hurt your eyes to read in the dark?
Is it true that dogs only see black and white?
Is it bad to look at the sun?

The Future of Vision and Health Care