Chapter 1: The Origins of Roman Ophthalmology

Recent research from Oxford University has uncovered ancient practices for managing eye ailments. Notably, the Romans utilized everyday toiletries to address a condition known as icterus.

Wendy Morrison, a researcher at Oxford University, has published findings in the Oxford Journal of Archaeology suggesting that Roman hygiene tools might have been employed in the treatment of trachoma, an eye inflammation linked to the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.

Acute trachoma leads to the inward curling of the eyelid, causing the eyelashes to rub against the eyeball, which can result in significant damage and potentially blindness. Morrison notes that Romans used these toiletries to alleviate such conditions.

What tools comprised this healing kit?

The kit typically included tweezers, a small spoon, and a scraper. More elaborate sets featured files, spatulas, and pestles, primarily made from bronze or occasionally bone. Morrison explains their uses:

• Forceps for removing ingrown eyelashes,
• Scrapers for eliminating granular growths from the eyelid,
• Pestles for grinding medicinal herbs to ease inflammation,
• Spoons, contrary to previous beliefs, were used to apply treatments directly to the eye.

Morrison draws inspiration from contemporary Kenyan women who use similar kits for trachoma treatment, often carrying them as essential items among beads on their necklaces. The tools and methods for managing this condition have likely remained unchanged over the centuries.

Nevertheless, Morrison's theory is still a hypothesis. Confirmation would require discovering traces of medicinal substances or infected tissues on these utensils. Factors such as cooking over open flames, living closely with animals, and a lack of water and sanitation—common in many rural households throughout history—also contributed to the prevalence of trachoma.

The utilization of these "cosmetic kits" aligns with the practices advocated by Roman physicians centuries ago. Galen, a second-century AD physician, suggested scraping the eyelid's inner surface to encourage healing and recommended substances containing iron sulfide, as well as goat's bile and quality honey for their antibacterial properties.

The Egyptian Ebers papyrus from the 16th century BC lists various treatments for trachoma, including lizard feces and the blood of several animals, applied to areas where eyelashes were removed to prevent regrowth.

Chapter 2: Understanding Trachoma and Its Impact

The manifestations of trachoma date back approximately 12,000 years, as evidenced by findings in Australian tear bones. The Ebers papyrus indicates that the disease was a significant issue in Egypt during the 16th century BC. Ancient Greeks were also familiar with it; Hippocrates described a case involving severe swelling and redness of the eye.

In Roman times, trachoma posed a considerable public health challenge, as documented by various scholars. The physician and pharmacologist Pedanios Dioskurydes described it under the Latin term “trachoma” in the first century AD, while Aulus Cornelius Celsus referred to it as aspiritudo in his medical writings. The disease also had social implications; a text from Vindolanda, a Roman military camp in Britain, noted that out of 296 soldiers, 31 could not perform their duties due to eye problems.

Trachoma is highly contagious and saw a decline in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries with improved hygiene. However, it re-emerged in the 19th century when Napoleon’s troops returned from Egypt. In the early 20th century, screening for the disease at Ellis Island was implemented to prevent its spread among incoming immigrants. Today, it is estimated that around 40 million people worldwide still suffer from trachoma.

The first video titled "How to Take an Ophthalmic History" explores the methods used in assessing eye health and history, shedding light on the evolution of ophthalmic practices.

The second video titled "Ocular History" delves into the historical context of eye diseases and treatments, providing valuable insights into how far we have come in the field of ophthalmology.

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