Arnall Patz

Patz Keller Kinsey

Arnall Patz (June 14, 1920 – March 11, 2010) was an American ophthalmologist and medical researcher who made significant contributions to the field of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a leading cause of blindness in premature infants. His groundbreaking work led to the discovery of the link between excessive oxygen therapy and the development of ROP, which has saved the sight of countless infants.

Early Life and Education

Arnall Patz was born in Elberton, Georgia. He attended Emory University for his undergraduate studies and later graduated from the Emory University School of Medicine in 1945. Following his graduation, Patz completed his residency in ophthalmology at the Washington National Eye Center.

Career and Research

Patz began his career as an ophthalmologist at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he conducted pioneering research on retinopathy of prematurity. In the early 1950s, he hypothesized that the high levels of oxygen administered to premature infants were causing abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina, leading to blindness. His hypothesis was confirmed through a series of clinical trials, which ultimately led to changes in the medical management of premature infants.

In addition to his work on ROP, Patz made significant contributions to the development of laser treatments for various eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. He was also involved in the establishment of the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins, where he served as the director from 1979 to 1989.

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Arnall Patz received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to ophthalmology and medical research. Some of these include:

• The Albert Lasker Award for Clinical Medical Research in 1956
• The Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004
• The Helen Keller Prize for Vision Research in 1994

Personal Life

Arnall Patz was married to Ellen Patz, and they had three children. He passed away on March 11, 2010, in Pikesville, Maryland.

Legacy

Arnall Patz's work has had a lasting impact on the field of ophthalmology and the care of premature infants. His research on retinopathy of prematurity has saved the vision of countless children worldwide, and his contributions to laser treatments have improved the quality of life for many patients with eye diseases.

See Also

• Retinopathy of prematurity
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Macular degeneration
• Wilmer Eye Institute
• Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine