Patricia Bath

Patricia Bath was an American ophthalmologist and inventor. She was born in Harlem, New York, in 1942. She invented a laser device that improved cataract surgery. She was the first African American woman doctor to receive a medical patent.

Early Life

Bath's father was a merchant seaman who told her stories about the world. Her mother saved money to buy her a chemistry set. She excelled in science from a young age. She was accepted into a cancer research program when she was just 16 years old.

Medical Breakthroughs

Bath became an eye doctor and noticed that Black people went blind from cataracts at much higher rates than white people. She co-founded the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness. In 1986, she invented the Laserphaco Probe, which used lasers to remove cataracts more precisely. Her invention has helped restore sight to people around the world.

Fun Facts

• Patricia Bath was the first African American woman to receive a medical patent.
• Her invention helped restore sight to people who had been blind for over 30 years.
• She was accepted to a cancer research program at just 16 years old.

Did You Know?

Patricia Bath's Laserphaco Probe was so effective that it restored sight to people who had been blind for decades. She tested and perfected the device in several countries.