The procedure of the cataract surgical treatment, known as "cataract couching," is one of the earliest known treatments for cataracts. It involves using a sharp instrument, like a needle, to dislodge the cloudy lens from its position and push it away from the field of vision. This practice dates back to ancient civilizations and was a precursor to modern cataract surgery techniques. The practitioners of this technique would have been highly skilled and respected in their communities for their ability to restore vision, albeit with methods that are now considered primitive and risky compared to contemporary standards.