DWC 100 Women: Patricia Bath, Laserphaco

As the inventor of laserphaco, a groundbreaking device and technique for removing cataracts, Patricia Bath not only transformed the field of ophthalmology but also illuminated a path for those historically left in the shadows. 

Born in Harlem, New York, in 1942, Patricia Bath grew up in an era where opportunities for women, especially African-American women, were limited. Yet, she was surrounded by a family that believed in her potential. Her father, an immigrant from Trinidad, was the first Black motorman in the New York City subway system. 

He instilled in her a love for science and the stars, while her mother, a housewife and domestic worker, nurtured her intellectual curiosity. Bath's early fascination with science and the human eye set her on a path that would later redefine the landscape of medical innovation.

At every step, she faced the dual challenges of racism and sexism. Yet, these obstacles only fueled her passion. She excelled in her studies, earning a scholarship to Hunter College, where she graduated with a degree in chemistry. From there, she went on to Howard University College of Medicine.

It was during her residency at New York University that Bath became acutely aware of the disparities in eye care between African Americans and other populations. While working at Harlem Hospital, she noticed that Black patients were twice as likely to suffer from blindness as their white counterparts. This stark reality ignited a fire within her to bridge the gap in healthcare access and ensure that everyone, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, had the right to sight.

In 1981, Patricia Bath made history with her invention of laserphaco, a device that revolutionized cataract surgery. Before her invention, cataract removal was a complex and invasive procedure that often led to complications and prolonged recovery times. 

Bath's laserphaco device simplified the process, making it more precise and less traumatic for patients. This innovation not only restored sight to countless individuals but also solidified Bath's place as a pioneer in medical history.

But Bath's contributions extend far beyond the operating room. She was a tireless advocate for equal access to healthcare, founding the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness in 1976. 

The institute's mission was to fight blindness by providing underserved communities with access to eye care and educating the public about preventable blindness. Bath's activism took her around the world, from the United States to Africa, where she worked to bring eye care to those who needed it most.

She was the first African-American woman to complete a residency in ophthalmology, the first woman to chair an ophthalmology residency program in the United States, and the first African-American female doctor to receive a medical patent. Patricia Bath gave millions the gift of vision—both literally and figuratively.