Ophthalmic techniques described by Şerefeddin Sabuncuoğlu (1385−1468 ad)

Abstract

Serefeddin Sabuncuoğlu (1385-1468 AD) was a Turkish surgeon who lived in the Ottoman Empire during the fifteenth century, a time of progressive expansion. When in his eighties, he wrote Cerrahiyyetü'l-Haniyye, which means Imperial Surgery. His book is the first example of an illustrated surgical textbook in the Turkish-Islamic medical literature. The importance of his book rests upon the inclusion of colour miniatures of the surgical procedures, incisional techniques and instruments, all drawn by Sabuncuoğlu himself. Only three hand-written copies exist, two of which were originally written by the author and are currently exhibited in Paris and Istanbul. The book was rediscovered in 1936, but some parts of it are still suspected to be missing. At present, the book consists of three chapters divided into 193 known sections. The sections deal with all fields of surgery including ophthalmology, and cite relevant Greek, Arabic and Persian textbooks. In this historical article the sections of Cerrahiyyetü'l-Haniyye pertinent to ophthalmology are critically reviewed, including a selection of the coloured drawings.

Colored illustrations of pediatric otorhinolaryngologic surgical techniques of a Turkish surgeon, Serefeddin Sabuncuoglu, in the 15th century

“…Sabuncuoglu cited Greek, Roman, Arabic and Persian textbooks in Cerrahiyyetü'l Haniyye. One of these was Ebu Kasim-al Zahravi (Albucasis, 936-1013 A.D.)'s AlTasrif, which means Textbook of Surgery [8].…”

“…However, there are 137 different medical observations and recommendations from Sabuncuoglu, along with translated passages from the works of Abu Kasim al Zahravi. Some authors [8,10,11] have claimed that he only translated Abu Kasim-al Zahravi (Albucasis)'s Al-Tasrif (Textbook of Surgery) and added the illustrations of the surgical techniques. Even if this is the case, the illustrations are enough to entitle this work as a milestone, as there were only two or three sources of reference books in surgery at that time.…”

History of ophthalmology: a distinguished or extinguished field of scholarly activity?

“…Each section describes the diagnosis, classification and surgical technique in detail. The ophthalmic procedures described by Sabuncuog˘lu are brief intraocular procedures including cataract surgery and treatment of corneal laceration with uveal tissue incarceration; eyelid disorders including eyelid warts, chalazion, metaplastic lashes, entropion, ectropion; pterygium surgery; and lacrimal system procedures reminiscent of the current dacryocystorhinostomy operation (Oguz et al 2004). He also describes medical and surgical management of symblepharon, lymphangiectasia, pannus, proptosis and hypopyon (Oguz 2006).…”

Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology: insights into cites

“…This supports the Editorial Board’s policy of encouraging submissions of high quality perspective articles. Interestingly, an historical article describing the ophthalmic techniques of Serefeddin Sabuncuoglu in the 1400’s 12 also appears on the list, showing the diversity of topics that stimulate CEO authors and readers.…”