A Salute to an Ophthalmological Pioneer 

Whether it is for bragging rights or to get it all over with, there is just something about being first isn't it? Just ask a lil motorman's daughter by the name of Patricia Bath from the mean streets of Harlem.

Patricia Bath is the first African-American woman to receive a patent for a medical purpose. Mind blowing right! The first! Her father was the first black subway motorman for New York City so being first seems to run in her veins. It is only right for her to become the first woman on faculty at the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA. She was also served her residency in ophthalmology at the prestigious New York University--the first African-American to do so! Madam Bath was on a roll. Somebody, like me, loves being first ya dig?

Can you read this post? Can you read it clearly with or without glasses? Ok well.....does your granny have cataracts? Grand-pappy? Ya dog? Oh whatever, I'm sure you know at least one entity with cataracts right? I know a few--ok more than a few but my point is that this woman of distinction--this doctor--this educator-- this innovator invented the Laserphaco Probe for cataract treatment and she did it way back in 1986 and patented the device in 1988 making her the first African-American female doctor to receive a patent for a medical device! Now, why did we not know know this? Don't pretend you knew! Social media definitely wasn't around then and we know that it is the main source of information these days.  Let me hip you to some African-American game real quick.

The gorgeous and talented Dr. Patricia Bath

For the innovative American Institute for the Prevention of Blindess co-founder, earning her first award for scientific research at the age of sixteen, the sky wasn't the limit--there was no limit for this determined New Yorker. To prevent obscurity through unreachable barriers created by society for minorities, Dr. Bath grabbed her determination and research and headed to Europe! With support from the Laser Medical Center of Berlin, the Rothschild Eye Institute of Paris and the Loughborough Institute of Technology in England, Bath was able to achieve what she states as her "personal best" in research and laser science. Her cataract research and passion preventing blindess led her towards the invention of the laserphaco-probe.

Now, what in the dickens is a Laserphaco whatcha-call-it anyway? Hey, be respectful. She's an creator and she is sensitive about her s**t! It called the La-ser-phac-o Probe! 

The Cataract Laserphaco Probe was designed to painlessly remove cataracts from a patient's eyes in an efficient and timely manner through laser technology. This method quickly replaced previous methods within the medical field and went on to change the game of eye surgery. Within time, Dr. Bath was able to restore the vision to patients who had been blind for more than 40 years. Wait--what!? Man, that is long time without being able to see the flowers and sunlight. The laserphaco probe is now used internationally to treat the cataract eye disease. 

//signed//

Elle-the FIRST blogger to introduce Dr. Patricia Bath

(don't judge me-I'm not petty. I'm just the first.....ha!)