#HealthHistory Celebrating revolutionary individuals who made historical advancements in medicine
Dr. Patricia Bath is known for being an innovative research scientist and advocate for blindness prevention, treatment and cure.
Dr. Bath’s most well-known invention was the Laserphaco Probe, a device frequently used for cataracts. She received a patent for the device in 1988, becoming the first African American female doctor to receive a patent for a medical purpose. With her Laserphaco Probe, Bath was able to help restore the eyesight of people who had been blind for over 30 years.
Dr. Bath’s greatest passion was fighting blindness. Dr. Bath co-founded the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness, which established that “eyesight is a basic human right.” Dr. Bath also created the new discipline known as community ophthalmology, which promotes eye health and blindness prevention through programs utilizing methodologies of public health, community medicine and ophthalmology.
“The ability to restore sight is the ultimate reward,” stated Dr.Bath.
Sources:
“Patricia Bath.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 7 Jan. 2021, www.biography.com/scientist/patricia-bath.
“Changing the Face of Medicine | Patricia E. Bath.” U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, 3 June 2015, cfmedicine.nlm.nih.gov/physicians/biography_26.html.
