From the BBC: The Romans carried out cataract ops.

Think of the Roman legacy to Britain and many things spring to mind – straight roads, under-floor heating, aqueducts and public baths.

But they were also pioneers in the health arena – particularly in the area of eye care, with remedies for various eye conditions such as short-sightedness and conjunctivitis.

Perhaps most surprisingly of all is that the Romans – and others from ancient times, including the Chinese, Indians and Greeks — were also able also to carry out cataract operations. [continue]