[Boldness and caution: Jacques Daviel's approach to cataract extraction (1745-1752)]

The introduction of cataract extraction by Jacques Daviel, in 1752/53, appears to us as a revolutionary step in eye surgery. It should be realized, however, that this achievement was not only the result of intuition and bold decision in critical situations, but also of careful evaluation, over seven years, of extraction vs. the best modifications of the time-honored needle operation. This included anatomical examination of the effects of needling (couching of the lens) in isolated eyes.