Verplaatsen van een deel van de iris tijdens een oogoperatie before 1873

This photograph of an eye surgery, titled 'Verplaatsen van een deel van de iris tijdens een oogoperatie', was created by A. de Montméja in the 19th century. The piece offers a stark glimpse into medical practices of the past. At a time when medicine was rapidly evolving, this image captures a procedure on the iris. Consider the vulnerability of the patient, whose face and eye are exposed, literally opened up, for examination. What social class might the patient belong to, to have access to such experimental procedures? The clinical setting, absent of modern sterile conditions, prompts reflections on how medical advancements have shaped our understanding of health and patient care. It invites us to ponder the evolving relationship between patient, doctor, and the human body, while raising questions about access, privilege, and the visual representation of medical interventions.