Contents
Patricia Bath
Inventing a laser-based cataract treatment device and expanding access to eye care.
Prevention of blindness · Laserphaco patent
- Born
- 4 November 1942
- Birthplace
- New York City, United States
- Died
- 30 May 2019
More people
Patricia Bath
Patricia Bath was an American ophthalmologist who combined surgical invention with efforts to prevent avoidable blindness.
Early life
Harlem
Grew up in New York and took part in scientific research while at school.
Medical training
Graduated from Hunter College in 1964 and Howard’s medical school in 1968.
Career
- 1970–1973
Eye specialist
Completed an ophthalmology residency at New York University.
- 1974
Los Angeles
Joined UCLA’s medical faculty.
- 1980s
Surgical invention
Developed the Laserphaco approach to cataract removal.
Contributions
Prevention of blindness
Co-founded the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness.
Laserphaco patent
Patented a device using laser energy to remove cataracts.
Community ophthalmology
Promoted prevention and treatment for underserved communities.
Beyond the lab
Public service
Helped provide medical care during the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign.
Family
Her daughter Eraka also became a physician.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Institutional biography and research ↗Photo: National Library of Medicine. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
