Imagine a world without glasses, safety goggles or eye surgeries. It would be tough, right? Thanks to amazing Black pioneers, we have the eye care tools and treatments we use today. These inventors, doctors and innovators made history that has helped millions of people see better!
Here are some of the trailblazers who made a difference:
Dr. David Kearney McDonogh: From Slavery to Surgery
Born into slavery in 1821 on a plantation in New Orleans, Louisiana, Dr. David Kearney McDonogh never let that stop him from following his dream. He became the first and only slave to earn a medical degree and was the first Black ophthalmologist.
Dr. McDonogh practiced at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary in Manhattan before setting up a private practice that spanned over 40 years. His legacy was honored with the creation of McDonogh Memorial Hospital, the first interracial hospital in Harlem.
Powell Johnson: The Pioneer of Eye Protection
If you’ve ever worn safety glasses while playing sports, working with tools or doing a science experiment, you have Powell Johnson to thank. In 1880, he received a patent for an eye protector. This made it safer to work in industries like construction and welding. His invention is still used in schools, workplaces and hospitals.
Dr. William Hiram Lawson: The First Black Optometrist
In 1916, Dr. William Lawson set up practice in Detroit, Michigan and became the first Black optometrist in the United States and Canada. His success has inspired other Black students to become optometrists, breaking barriers for future generations. In fact, four other members of Dr. Lawson’s family also joined the profession!
Dr. Patricia Bath: Innovator and Sight Saver
Dr. Patricia Bath became the first Black woman to complete an ophthalmology residency in 1973. She also became the first Black woman to receive a medical patent, the first of five patents she would earn throughout her career.
One of Dr. Bath’s most revolutionary inventions, the Laserphaco Probe, uses a laser to remove cataracts. Thanks to her work, millions around the world can see more clearly today.
Dr. Eve Higginbotham: A Vision for Diversity
Dr. Eve Higginbotham became the first Black woman to lead an ophthalmology department at a U.S. university in 1994. She holds multiple degrees from MIT, Harvard Medical School and the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.
She has dedicated her career to helping increase diversity in the medical field and continues to inspire Black women to become doctors.
Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future
These pioneers helped change history and improve vision care. Their breakthroughs continue to have an influence, whether through safer surgeries or better eye protection. The next time you hear about new eye care technology, remember the Black visionaries who helped shape the way we see the world.
