A brief review of the development of ophthalmology in Croatia

Autochtonous folk medicine practice in Croatia was mostly based on the use of herbs in the treatment of eye diseases. The first document on the presence of medical activity was one in which the Republic of Venice gave Draga Slava permission to practice medicine in 1330. The 19th century was the turning-point for the development of ophthalmology in Croatia. The basis for well-organized clinical, preventive and social ophthalmological care was established. The Cathedra for Ophthalmology was founded in 1920 and its first head was Albert Botteri, who was along with Nizetić, Spanić, Gradilicić and Meixner, the most prominent ophthalmologist in the first half of the century. Zvonimir Pavisić and Kresimir Cupak were the leading persons in Croatian ophthalmology in the second half of the century. Croatian ophthalmologists were organized in the Section for Ophthalmology as the part of the Medical Association of Croatia from 1926 up to 1992, when the Section changed its name to the Croatian Ophthalmological Society, with more than 250 members. Inspite of the difficulties, Croatian ophthalmologists tend to use almost all modern diagnostic and therapeutic methods in use in the world.