Surgery on the eye for the removal of a cataract, late 19th century. During this period, cataract removal typically involved cutting a flap in the cornea and extracting the lens. #histmed #histsci
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not too far off from how it’s done now honestly. instead of a “flap” it’s more of a small incision that the instruments used to break up the cataract are inserted through. but the general idea hasn’t changed much! though the anesthetic techniques have likely improved a ton since then. super cool!
I had Cataract surgery 17 days ago. I don't have pictures, but hope I didn't look as terrified as this poor soul. (I claim I was "Nervous but Determined".)
I had cataract surgeries as a baby between 6 mos to 1.5 yrs old-ish- 4 different procedures on each eye (and 1 repeat surgery) so can't say I remember anything. When I got lens implants as an adult, had to hold eye stead while awake; same w/ glaucoma surgery. Hard to do even w/ sedation.
They do still keep you conscious for cataract surgery, although with local anathestic and some sedation. I think it's partly that you can keep your eye really still if you are awake.
You are given a set of lights to stare at and can't really see much else.
(I had mine done).
OK, I suppose if asleep you might start dreaming and that could be very bad... but it sounds an ordeal worse than any dentist, having to keep so motionless even to the eyes!
I had a local anathestic and local muscle relaxant. Interestingly, the anathestist told me the local anathestic was the same one used by most dentists.
The Brontës’ father had it done in 1846 which I think was just before any kind of anaesthesia, and he had both eyes done in the same session 🫣 He had to stay in a darkened room for a month and couldn’t travel while they healed, as they couldn’t stitch anything back together at the time
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Eesh. Scary as all heck
I wrote a brief history in my own ophthalmic subspeciality Dr Fitzharris, if you're interested:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41433-024-03519-x
Imagine going through that fully conscious... and trying to hold your eyeball entirely still.
You are given a set of lights to stare at and can't really see much else.
(I had mine done).
Just having my eye fixed open would have me wanting to twitch it even before they start cutting in...