Overview

While the human eye has always inspired poets and writers, this small organ was studied by ancient scholars and physicians long before the advent of modern science. Many of the words related to the study of the eye derive from the Greek (ophthalmos) and Latin (opticus) words for eye. Thus, the study of the eye is called ophthalmology, and the measure of the eye, optometry. An ophthalmologist is a doctor of medicine who diagnoses and treats diseases of the eye. An optometrist has been specially trained to give eye health and vision examinations.

While much of the structure of the eye was known at the beginning of the nineteenth century, the science developed so rapidly that its history is essentially a succession of biographies of scientists who added pieces to the puzzle. Several...