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Arch Ophthalmol. 2007;125(8):1144.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Henry W. Williams was the first to suture the wound after cataract extraction. He employed a single corneal suture, which he described in 1886; but, although he continued to advocate its use, it apparently was never adopted by any other surgeon. This may be because it had the serious fault of passing entirely through the cornea. However, sutures somewhat like that of Williams' are now coming into general use in cataract surgery. According to the opinions of numerous American ophthalmologists who have visited foreign clinics, the best of our ophthalmic surgeons have been for many years more skilful [sic] than the best European surgeons. To explain this superiority, I assume that as a result of our diversity of population some of our surgeons have inherited an unusual degree of dexterity. On the other hand, a claim that our worst ophthalmic surgeons are the worst in the world might be difficult . . . [Full Text of this Article]