Patricia Bath

doctor · inventor · eyes · hero

Pioneer surgeon. Patricia Bath was the first African-American woman to become a resident in ophthalmology (eye doctor training) at New York University, and she refused to let barriers stop her from becoming an excellent doctor.

Laser invention. Bath invented the Laserphaco probe, a special laser tool that makes cataract surgery safer and more precise by gently removing cloudy lenses from the eye.

Community care hero. She believed everyone deserved good eye care, not just wealthy people, so she created a mobile eye clinic that brought free eye exams and treatment to neighborhoods that desperately needed them.

Breaking barriers. Bath became the first woman to lead a postgraduate training program in ophthalmology and the first woman elected to the honorary staff of UCLA Medical Center, opening doors for other women doctors.

Global mission. She traveled around the world to teach other doctors her laser surgery techniques and to help restore sight to people in poor and underserved communities.