To the student of ophthalmologic history glaucoma presents a double problem. Did glaucoma prevail in ancient times, and, if it did, was it recognized as such by ancient physicians? There is no positive evidence in ophthalmologic literature to show that glaucoma was known earlier than a century ago. The clinical history, however, favors the belief that glaucoma is a disease of great antiquity. All known predisposing factors of glaucoma, such as old age, climatic conditions, hereditary and racial influences, nervous strain, inflammatory diseases of the eye, errors of refraction and other such possible causes, have always prevailed.
The identification of glaucoma in the early stages of the disease, however, appears to be of comparatively recent date. Ancients recognized it only in the final stage of the disorder as a special form of amaurosis which contributed to the widespread blindness prevailing in the ancient East.
GLAUCOMA AMONG THE ANCIENT HEBREWS