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This year, 1983, is the 400th anniversary of the book generally regarded to be the first modern work on eye surgery, and one of the earliest surgical works printed in a native tongue rather than in classical Greek or Latin. In 1583, Georg Bartisch (1535 to 1606) published this monumental work designed as a manual for surgeons and physicians, but also as a guide to the layman. Bartisch chose the Greek word [ill] for his title. Its German equivalent, Augendienst, means service of the eyes. This was an original account dealing with the infirmities, injuries, and defects of the eyes; their causes; and their treatment with medicine and surgery. Many authorities state that this book established Bartisch as the founder of "modern" ophthalmology. He was the first to practice the removal of the globe in cancer of the eye. He designed an operation for the complete removal of the eyeball