Full Description
When the eyeball is indented in total darkness, within less than 200 mil liseconds an oval or quarter-moon shaped spot of light is perceived in the part of the visual field corresponding to the indented region of the retina. In the seconds following, this phosphene extends across the whole visual field and alters in structure during further eyeball indentation. It is then seen as irregular large bright spots of light, finely structured moving light grains ('light nebula') and stationary bright stars. Regular geometrical patterns appear only when both eyes are indented simultaneously [1]. When the eyeball deformation is released, part of the retina again lights up for another one or two seconds and curved light lines are seen following the course of the larger retinal vessels (Fig. 1). In the following we will review the history of this phenomenon, which played an important role during the first 2200 years of vision theories and in the development of models to explain normal vision. 2. Pre-Socratic philosophers, Plato and Aristotle Alcmaeon of Croton (6-5th century B. C. ), who was a member of the Pythagoraean sect and one of the founders of Greek medicine, was the first to describe mechanical deformation of the eyeball leading to light sensa tions. According to Aristotle's pupil Theophrast of Eresos, Alcmaeon report ed that 'the eye obviously has fire within,for when the eye is struckfireflashes out' [2, p. 88].
Contents
Osler and ophthalmology.- Life, eye disease and work of Joseph Plateau.- The ophthalmology of Fabricius Hildanus in the 17th century.- Ophthalmological ideas of the Byzantine author Meletius.- Ophthalmology according to Aetius Amidenus.- Father Waclaw Szuniewicz, M.D., an ophthalmologist of unusual courage and devotion.- On the history of deformation phosphenes and the idea of internal light generated in the eye for the purpose of vision.- Antonie Cramer's explanation of accommodation.- 19th Century mechanical models of eye movements, Donders' law, Listing's law and Helmholtz' direction circles.- Ocular manifestations during the French travels of discovery to Australia from Lapérouse (1741-1788) to Dumont D'Urville (1790-1842).- The blind Belisar as beggar.- Eye references in the Homeric Epics.- Eye votives in the Asklepieion of ancient Corinth.- King Sivi and Doctor Sil.
