BOOKMARK TEXTS

Monet
Did you know that the renowned impressionist Claude Monet, famous for his cool blue
hues, underwent a remarkable artistic transformation due to a medical condition?
Monet was diagnosed with cataracts in 1912. This condition altered his perception, causing
him to become more attuned to fiery reds and vibrant yellows. Despite his visual challenges,
Monet persisted in his craft, initially refusing the risky surgery available at the time. It wasn't
until 1923, when he was nearly blind, that he finally agreed to an operation on his right eye.

Degas
Degas could barely see. An artist who at his peak could capture the beauty of dancers like
no-one else, was obliged to evolve his art as his vision deteriorated. Suffering from a serious
eye disease, Edgar Degas began to progressively lose his vision in 1870. But it was out of the
question for him to slow down, so he decided to take up sculpture and pastels, leaving
behind his oil work, which was too detailed for his poor vision. His art might have changed,
but the genius remained shorten

Van gogh - sunflower

Here's a trivia twist: Vincent van Gogh's dazzling artworks are renowned for their vivid
colors, especially the prominent use of yellow in his later pieces. But did you know that his
unique palette might have been influenced by health issues? Some suggest lead poisoning
from paint, others narrow angle glaucoma, and even an overdose of digitalis, known to
cause "yellow vision," considering his documented struggles with mental health and eye
complaints.

Van Gogh 2 – starry night

Did you know that Vincent van Gogh, the famous artist, had eye ailments that greatly
influenced his perception of the world? One of these conditions was likely cataracts, which
can cause visual distortions like halos around lights. Van Gogh's cataracts are believed to
have played a role in the unique swirling patterns and vibrant colors seen in his masterpiece,
"Starry Night."
Ancient cataract
In a captivating historical tidbit, the world's oldest recorded case of cataract, dating back to
around 2457-2467 B.C., was discovered in a small statue of the priest reader Kaāper from
Egypt's 5th dynasty. This ancient artwork vividly displays a white pupillary reflex in the left
eye, a sign of a mature cataract. Intriguingly, the sculptor accurately depicted this eye
condition, highlighting the Egyptians' awareness of it.There's a fascinating debate among
scientists about whether cataract surgery might have been practiced in ancient Egypt, with
compelling evidence suggesting early surgical endeavors in ophthalmology. A captivating
historical tidbit!

Ww2 cataract discovery - In a medical twist, Sir Harold Ridley, an English ophthalmologist,
transformed cataract surgery. During WWII, he discovered that acrylic plastic didn't provoke
rejection in pilots' eyes. This led to the first successful artificial lens implant in 1950,
eventually gaining worldwide acceptance and FDA approval in 1981. Ridley's partnership
with Peter Choyce and the founding of the International Intraocular Implant Club further
accelerated artificial lens implantation. Today, it's one of the most common surgeries
globally.

In a remarkable medical breakthrough, English ophthalmologist Sir Harold Ridley

revolutionized cataract surgery. During World War II, he treated RAF fighter pilots with eye
injuries and noticed that shattered acrylic plastic from aircraft canopies didn't cause rejection
in the eyes. This led to his groundbreaking creation of the first artificial intraocular lens (IOL)
using acrylic material, implanted successfully in 1950. Ridley's discovery lay the foundation
for modern IOL implants and enhancing vision outcomes for patients.

Phaecomulsification technique
In a remarkable medical twist, ophthalmologist Charles D. Kelman changed cataract surgery
in 1967. Inspired by his dentist's ultrasonic probe, he introduced phacoemulsification, using
ultrasonic waves to remove cataracts without large incisions. This breakthrough reduced
hospital stays and pain. For his contributions, Kelman received the National Medal of
Technology from President George H. W. Bush in 1992 and was inducted into the National
Inventors Hall of Fame in 2004. A pivotal moment in medical history!
Ancient Egypt
In the realm of medical trivia, Ophthalmology traces its roots to ancient times. The Code of
Hammurabi from 2250 BC rewarded physicians who saved eyes with ten shekels. But it was
Ancient Egypt that truly opened our eyes to early eye treatments, with the Ebers Papyrus,
dating back to 1550 BC, containing the first written records.

In Egypt, the eye held great significance, with the Eye of Horus amulet symbolizing healing
and protection. An intriguing glimpse into the past's fascination with eyes!
Arabian era

Ancient Oculists like Johannitius and Alhazen transformed vision understanding. Johannitius
detailed eye anatomy, and Alhazen's optics theory shifted from Greek intromission. History's
vision pioneers!
Ancient India

In a fascinating medical trivia tidbit, Sushruta, often hailed as the father of Indian
ophthalmology, thrived around the 5th century BC, predating Hippocrates. In his monumental
Sushruta Samhita, he delved into ocular anatomy and cataloged 76 eye conditions, including
glaucoma and cataracts. Remarkably, he described a surgical technique for cataract removal,
possibly one of the earliest such methods. A glimpse into the ancient roots of Indian
ophthalmology!
The Renaissance

In a medical trivia twist, George Bartisch (1535-1607), a 16th-century German physician, is

hailed as the father of Modern Ophthalmology. His pioneering work in "Ophthalmodouleia
Das ist Augendienst" in 1583, featuring 92 woodcut illustrations, set the stage for modern
ophthalmology textbooks. He also performed the first-ever eye removal surgery on a living
patient to combat cancer. A true trailblazer in the field!
Papyrus
In the world of medical trivia, the Ebers Papyrus, from around 1550 B.C., is a remarkable
ancient medical document. Discovered by German Egyptologist Georg Ebers in Luxor in
1873-74, it's now in Germany's University of Leipzig library. This 20-meter scroll contains
over 900 recipes, with more than 20 focused on eye diseases, providing fascinating insights
into ancient Egyptian medicine. A true historical gem!
The golden age

In a fascinating twist of medical trivia, Austrian ophthalmologist Georg Joseph Beer (1763-
1821) left an indelible mark in the early 19th century. In 1812, he founded the world's first
university department of ophthalmology at Vienna's general hospital, launching the field as
we know it. Beer also introduced the "flap" method for cataract surgery and crafted the
unique triangle-tipped instrument, Beer's knife. His pioneering work reshaped the world of
ophthalmology.
The tikadars

In ancient India, smallpox was a formidable foe. Brahmin inoculators, known as Tikadars,
practiced variolation since the 16th century. Using dried pus from smallpox cases, they made
arm cuts, introduced the pus, and chanted mantras to the goddess Sheetala for protection.
This process sparked immunity, and Tikadars traveled each spring, passing their knowledge
through generations, a crucial chapter in India's battle against infectious diseases. A
fascinating slice of medical history!
the rhinoplasty

In an astonishing twist of medical history, plastic surgery dates back to ancient India around
2000 BC, with methods resembling those used today. Sushruta, around 500 BC, is credited as
the pioneer of Rhinoplasty, and his detailed techniques, as described in the Sushruta Samhita,
continue to influence modern surgery. Some instruments and tools mentioned in his ancient
text are still in use in the 21st century, highlighting the enduring impact of ancient Indian
medical ingenuity. A remarkable piece of trivia!
The Indian queens

In 1805, the British aimed to introduce the smallpox vaccine in India to save lives, but faced
resistance due to traditional practices. To bridge the gap, they enlisted Indian royalty,
including Queen Devajammani of the Wadiyars. A painting shows Devajammani getting
vaccinated, while another queen undergoes variolation. This historic image represents how
Indian royalty played a crucial role in overcoming vaccine hesitancy. A captivating snippet of
medical history!
Story of a nose job

In a captivating historical twist, Cowasjee, a British army bullock cart driver, had his nose
severed by Tippoo Sultan. Back in Poona, Sir Charles Mallet organized a groundbreaking
nose reconstruction, enlisting a skilled potter. Witnessed by surgeons Thomas Cruso and
James Finlay, the process involved shaping a wax nose, raising a skin flap, and skillfully
attaching it without sutures. Remarkably, Cowasjee's new nose was so sturdy that he could
blow or sneeze without fear of it falling off. A truly astonishing snippet of medical history!
Vaccine from venom

In a fascinating medical journey, 7th-century Indians sipped snake venom for immunity,
foreshadowing modern immunization. 'Immunization' was coined by Von Behring when
referring to rabbit serum with antitoxins. In 1907, toxoids revolutionized immunization.

Jump to 1966, when horse enthusiast Cyrus Poonawalla founded the Serum Institute of India
(SII) after losing a mare to a snakebite. SII began with tetanus and snakebite serum but
expanded into childhood vaccine production. Today, it's the world's largest vaccine
manufacturer, protecting countless children globally. A remarkable story in medical histor
Instruments and surgery

In ancient surgery, Sushruta stressed cleanliness and proper conduct. Operations coincided
with religious rituals and clean rooms. Diagnosis involved multiple senses, hair was shaved,
and various surgical tools were used. Opium eased pain, and ointments aided wound care. A
window into ancient surgical wisdom!