Lossnijden van staar tijdens een oogoperatie before 1873

This photograph, by A. de Montméja, depicts cataract surgery, focusing on the eye as a powerful symbol. Here, the eye, central to sight and perception, is the focal point of both medical intervention and our visual attention. The act of cutting into the eye carries profound historical and cultural weight. Eyes have long been associated with knowledge, surveillance, and divine presence. Think of the all-seeing eye in ancient Egyptian art or the Cyclops in Greek mythology. In this context, the surgical incision becomes a symbolic act of altering perception, of intervening in one's understanding of the world. Consider how this relates to the biblical account of Jesus healing the blind. It highlights the act of restoring sight and signifies spiritual enlightenment. As we ponder Montméja's image, remember that symbols and rituals resurface and evolve, revealing our enduring fascination with the body.