A lens into the past: The history of cataract surgery

Cataract surgery may be one of medicine’s greatest achievements, providing treatment for an otherwise blinding condition. These surgeries are among the most common operative procedures performed worldwide and are also among the most successful. The advancements that have been made in cataract management exemplify the progress that has been made in the field of surgery as a whole. Moreover, the story of the evolution of cataract surgery is fascinating. From humble origins with cataract couching to the use of ultrasonic energy in phacoemulsification, each milestone in the advancement of cataract surgery has had innovative physicians at its forefront, striving for better patient visual outcomes. This article seeks to review these major milestones, including couching, extracapsular cataract extraction, intracapsular cataract extraction, and intraocular lens implantation. Procedural steps of modern-day phacoemulsification and recent advancements that may be incorporated into future practice are also reviewed.