Extracapsular cataract extraction in Europe prior to Jacques Daviel

The first successful planned extracapsular cataract extraction was reported by Jacques Daviel in 1752. The history of European cataract surgery in the first half of the 18th century, immediately preceding Daviel's report, contains interesting information that explains the foundations of this accomplishment. Daviel himself credited the prior work of Francois Pourfour du Petit. Other important advances were reported by Michel Brisseau, Antoine Maitre-Jan, Jean Mery and others. A critical insight during this time period was the realization that the cataract was, in fact, the opacified crystalline lens, rather than a membrane or opacity located anterior to the lens.

Automated summary

The first successful planned extracapsular cataract extraction was performed by Jacques Daviel in 1752. Prior to this, other doctors made important contributions to the development of cataract surgery, with a key insight being the recognition that cataract is the opacified crystalline lens itself, not a membrane or opacity located in front of the lens.