Unit 4: Technologies and Treatments

Watch: "The Epic Story of Prosthetics"

Description: "Until the late 13th century, there was no effective treatment for nearsightedness or farsightedness. It was commonly accepted that as a person aged, their eyesight would weaken and they would have to give up reading and other visually demanding activities due to the lack of a cure. It was not until the late 13th century that the first eyeglasses were invented. These early models were quite basic and had to be held in place by hand. As the medieval period came to a close, however, eyeglasses became more widely available and easier to use, thanks to the development of more advanced models."

Explore: "A Modern Look at Medieval Remedies"