What was Glaucoma Called Before the 20th Century?

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical History

Background:

• Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy frequently associated with elevated intraocular pressure.
• Historically, conditions now recognized as glaucoma were described using terms like amaurosis, gutta serena, black cataract, and viriditate oculi.
• Early descriptions lacked a unified understanding, with some noting eye hardness and others focusing on pupil appearance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To trace the historical evolution of the understanding and terminology of glaucoma.
• To highlight key diagnostic features and their historical nomenclature.

Main Methods:

• Historical literature review focusing on ophthalmology and medical history before and after 1850.
• Analysis of terminology used to describe visual impairment and ocular conditions.

Main Results:

• Pre-1850, primary open-angle glaucoma was termed amaurosis, gutta serena, or black cataract, with infrequent mention of eye hardness.
• Angle-closure glaucoma was described with terms like glaucoma and viriditate oculi, noting a green/gray pupil and eye hardness.
• The 1850 ophthalmoscope enabled visualization of optic neuropathy, integrating these conditions under the umbrella term 'glaucoma'.

Conclusions:

• The term 'glaucoma' evolved to encompass diverse clinical presentations of optic neuropathy.
• Technological advancements, particularly the ophthalmoscope, were crucial in unifying the understanding of glaucoma.
• Historical nomenclature reflects early clinical observations of glaucoma's varied manifestations.