What was Glaucoma Called before the 20th Century?

Abstract

Glaucoma involves a characteristic optic neuropathy, often with elevated intraocular pressure. Before 1850, poor vision with a normal eye appearance, as occurs in primary open-angle glaucoma, was termed amaurosis, gutta serena, or black cataract. Few observers noted palpable hardness of the eye in amaurosis. On the other hand, angle-closure glaucoma can produce a green or gray pupil, and therefore was called, variously, glaucoma (derived from the Greek for glaucous, a nonspecific term connoting blue, green, or light gray) and viriditate oculi. Angle closure, with palpable hardness of the eye, mydriasis, and anterior prominence of the lens, was described in greater detail in the 18th and 19th centuries. The introduction of the ophthalmoscope in 1850 permitted the visualization of the excavated optic neuropathy in eyes with a normal or with a dilated greenish-gray pupil. Physicians developed a better appreciation of the role of intraocular pressure in both conditions, which became subsumed under the rubric “glaucoma”.

Ophthalmology in North America: Early Stories (1491-1801)

“…The question is important because many cases of angle closure glaucoma appear to have a green pupil. 32 – 34 However, the translations are not explicit on this point. The range of use of mesquite for eye ailments extended northward to the American Southwest, including the Mescalero Apaches, Pimas, and Maricopas.…”

“…His right eye was normally “clear” but became “cloudy like a glaucoma” when he had “catarrh” in his “nasal passages.” 75 Glaucoma in much of the European ophthalmology literature of the 18th century had begun to specifically represent angle closure glaucoma. 32 – 33 However, in a colloquial sense, Boltzius probably simply meant that the cornea appeared lighter. He also noted “rosiness or redness” of the face.…”

“…Glaucoma had transitioned from the nonspecific concept of the light-colored eye of the ancient Greek authors by the 18th century to more specifically represent, in many works, the light green or gray pupil sometimes seen in angle closure glaucoma. 32 – 34 …”

“…Cataract extraction for angle closure glaucoma was performed by William Mackenzie of Scotland in 1833. 33 Thus, lensectomy for angle closure glaucoma was performed in America well before the publication of Mackenzie’s text.…”

“…These conditions would include primary open angle glaucoma, macular diseases, retinal detachment, retinal vascular diseases, optic neuritis, etc, and were sometimes known by the Greek terms amaurosis, if severe, or amblyopia, if mild. 33 , 57 However, in the English colonies, the Latin term gutta serena seemed to prevail through the 18th century.…”