Ophthamology in Byzantium (10th-15th Centuries)

Abstract

The study and analysis of the Byzantine texts after the 9th century, espe­cially those of Theophanes and Ioannes Actuaries, reveals that the oph­thalmology of this epoch follows in general lines the knowledge of the ear­lier ancient Greek and Byzantine physicians, adding, however, remarkable clarifications as to differential diagnosis and treatment. Nevertheless, there is some noteworthy information in the historical and hagiographical texts that indicate the high level of the practice of this specialty in Byzan­tine hospitals (xenones) in the middle and late periods.