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Unknown ancient Greek ophthalmological instruments and equipment

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Abstract

Discoveries of some ancient medical instruments and equipment found in the Hellenic world have been published in magazines of general interest and in a rare Greek medical journal, yet none caught the attention of ophthalmologists. Among these instruments are two forms of the famous ‘Kenteterion’, dating from the Hellenistic period, used for the couching of cataract. These were found on the island of Milos in the last century. Two magnifying lenses of the Archaic period from the recent Cretan excavations gave us the opportunity to discuss the problem of their medical use. The two drop-bottles from the excavations on Cyprus and at Tanagra, which are also described, seem to be of medical, and possible ophthalmological, use.

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Lascaratos, J., Marketos, S. Unknown ancient Greek ophthalmological instruments and equipment. Doc Ophthalmol 94, 151–159 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02629688

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