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Review
. 2021 Feb 27;34(3):198-201.
doi: 10.4103/1319-4534.310407. eCollection 2020 Jul-Sep.

Arab and Muslim scientists and their contributions to the history of ophthalmology

Ghufran A Abudawood  1 , Reem Alshareef  2   3 , Saeed Alghamdi  3   4
Affiliations
Review

Arab and Muslim scientists and their contributions to the history of ophthalmology

Ghufran A Abudawood et al. Saudi J Ophthalmol. .

Abstract

Arab and Muslim scientists were pioneers in the development of medical sciences, treating patients, and performing operations in many medical specialties. This article reviews their major contributions in ophthalmology that led to the development of this field. Considering the little-known role of Arab and Muslim scientists in the history of ophthalmology, this article provide insights into the great physicians from the 10th to the 13th century. Despite the destruction of Islamic civilizations by the Mongols in the late 14th century, some of their books and manuscripts are still preserved, testifying to their influence, including the first detailed drawing of the eye anatomy by Hunayn AlAbadi (808 A.D.), proposing the first occlusive treatment for amblyopia by Thabit Alharrani (823 A.D.), discovering the science of optics and theory of vision related to light reflection by Al-Hasan ibn Al-Haytham (965 A.D.), inventing of the hollow needle used to aspirate cataract by Ammar Al-Mawsili (1010 A.D.), and drawing surgical instruments by Khalifah ibn Al-Mahasin (1256 A.D.).

Keywords: Arab; Contribution; History; Muslim; Ophthalmology.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The Anatomy of The Eye by Hunayn Ibn Ishaq. A 12th century manuscript copy of the original 9th century manuscript, from the book “Ten Treatises on the Eye” drawn by Hunayn Ibn Ishaq Al-Abadi (808– 873 A.D.)
Figure 2
Figure 2
The Optic Chiasm by Khalifah Ibn Al-Mahasin. The Optic Chiasm from the book “The sufficient Knowledge in Ophthalmology” drawn by Khalifah Ibn Al-Mahasin (1256 AD), representing the eyes, the optic chiasm, the olfactory nerves, the cerebral ventricles, the pericranium, the dura mater, and pia mater
Figure 3
Figure 3
Surgical Instruments by Khalifah Ibn Al-Mahasin. A page from the surgical instruments with a name and a description of each one usage, from the book “The sufficient Knowledge in Ophthalmology” drawn by Khalifah Ibn Al-Mahasin (1256 AD)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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