title: The history of the evil eye and its influence on ophthalmology, medicine and social customs.
abstract: Belief in the evil eye is one of the oldest and most widespread superstitions in the world. The concept of the evil eye has influenced present day ophthalmology, medicine, and social customs. Oculus sinister (OS), the serpent and the staff of Asclepius, the symbol of RX, and many social customs are historically related to the evil eye.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Bohigian
mesh_terms: D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005123:Eye; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D049711:History, Modern 1601-; D008512:Medicine in the Arts; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000266:history*; D012961:Sociology / Q000266:history*; D013483:Superstitions / Q000266:history