Charles Kelman

Charles Kelman receiving the National Technology Medal from President George H. W. Bush (41-AV-P32953-11-06231992)

Charles Kelman (May 23, 1930 – June 1, 2004) was an American ophthalmologist and inventor, best known for developing phacoemulsification, a revolutionary technique used in cataract surgery. This method, introduced in the late 1960s, transformed cataract surgery from a procedure that required an extended hospital stay and a long recovery period to one that could be completed in a matter of minutes, with patients often returning to their normal activities within a day.

Early Life and Education

Charles Kelman was born in Brooklyn, New York, and showed an early interest in both medicine and music. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Tufts University, where he majored in Biology, and later attended the University of Geneva in Switzerland for his medical degree. After completing his medical education, Kelman returned to the United States to specialize in ophthalmology, a field that would soon be transformed by his innovations.

Career and Innovations

In the early 1960s, Kelman joined the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital in New York City, where he began his pioneering work on cataract surgery. At the time, the standard procedure for removing cataracts involved making a large incision in the eye, removing the entire lens, and then fitting the patient with thick, cumbersome glasses or inserting a large, rigid intraocular lens. Kelman was determined to find a less invasive and more effective method.

Inspired by a visit to his dentist, where he observed the use of an ultrasonic probe to clean teeth, Kelman conceived the idea of using ultrasound to emulsify the cataractous lens, allowing it to be removed through a small incision. After years of research and development, he introduced phacoemulsification in 1967. This technique uses an ultrasonic handpiece fitted with a titanium tip that vibrates at ultrasonic frequency to emulsify the lens, which is then aspirated from the eye. The small incision also allowed for the insertion of a foldable intraocular lens, significantly improving postoperative recovery and visual outcomes.

Kelman's invention faced initial skepticism and resistance from the ophthalmic community, but it eventually gained widespread acceptance and is now the standard of care for cataract surgery worldwide. His work has not only improved the quality of life for millions of patients but has also paved the way for further advancements in minimally invasive eye surgery.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, Charles Kelman received numerous awards and honors in recognition of his contributions to medicine and ophthalmology. These include the National Medal of Technology in 1992, awarded by President George H.W. Bush, and the Lasker Award for Clinical Medical Research in 1994. He was also inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

Later Life and Legacy

Beyond his medical achievements, Kelman was also an accomplished musician and entertainer, often performing as a jazz musician and stand-up comedian. He continued to innovate in the field of ophthalmology until his death in 2004.

Charles Kelman's legacy is seen in the millions of cataract surgeries performed each year using his technique, significantly improving patients' quality of life. His work exemplifies the profound impact that innovative thinking and perseverance can have on medical science and patient care.