The Big Idea: 7 Groundbreaking Black Female Inventors
Dr. Patricia Bath
In 1981, Dr. Patricia Bath invented the Laserphaco Probe, which is used to remove cataracts. By 1988, she perfected the invention and received the first of four patents pertaining to the device. Cataracts are an eye disease that can lead to blindness, but previous surgical procedures had many negative side effects. Dr. Bath’s laser probe made cataracts surgery faster and more accurate, and has been credited with saving thousands from losing their sight.