Optometry or ophthalmology? A historical review of early literature.

In scientific literature dating back to the days of Leonardo da Vinci and earlier, all works and discoveries--be they in eye care, eyewear, ocular anatomy or surgery--are reported from a medical viewpoint as "contributions" to the development of ophthalmology. This paper reviews some of the early literature, points out those events that lay the foundation for the profession of optometry, and encourages optometrists to preserve their profession's heritage through research and writing from an optometric point of view.