[Ophthalmology in the ancient river cultures. Was cataract surgery performed during the time of King Hammurabi?].

The article presents the state of ophthalmological knowledge in the Ancient River Cultures. Medical and ophthalmological information included in King Hammurabi Code is discussed. The author presents a critical analysis of the views related to the hypothesis of possible performance of cataract operation in Babylon during the Hammurabi period. Terminological and medical matters related to this issue are discussed. The original opinion about surgical treatment of symblepharon or pannus trachomatosus is presented.