The use of lasers in medicine has revolutionized treatment in many fields, including eye and vision care. Ophthalmologist and inventor Patricia Bath developed a surgical tool called the Laserphaco Probe, which employs a laser to vaporize cataracts. The device uses a small, 1-millimeter insertion into the patient’s eye, allowing surgeons to treat the blemishes faster, more accurately, and less invasively. Bath held five U.S. patents related to her methods to remove cataract lenses.
While working in New York City following her graduation from medical school in 1968, Bath conducted a study showing that blindness among her African American patients was nearly double the rate among whites. Citing lack of ophthalmic care as a central cause, Bath established the now widely-studied discipline of Community Ophthalmology. In 1976, she co-founded the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness. She became a global advocate for healthy vision and achieved many firsts throughout her career.
Read more about Patricia Bath and her trailblazing career: http://bit.ly/3atXI7Z
U.S. Patent no. 4,744,360
Title: Apparatus for ablating and removing cataract lenses
Patened: May 17, 1988
U.S. Patent no. 5,843,071
Title: Method and apparatus for ablating and removing cataract lenses
Patented: December 1, 1998
U.S. Patent no. 5,919,186
Title: Laser apparatus for surgery of cataractous lenses
Patented: July 6, 1999
U.S. Patent no. 6,083,192
Title: Pulsed ultrasound method for fragmenting/emulsifying and removing cataractous lenses
Patented: July 4, 2000
U.S. Patnet no. 6,544,254
Title: Combination ultrasound and laser method and apparatus for removing cataract lenses
Patented: April 8, 2003