Patricia Era Bath was born in Harlem, New York, to Rupert and Gladys Bath. Her father was a Trinidadian immigrant and merchant seaman, and her mother was a homemaker who later worked as a domestic. Her upbringing in Harlem instilled in her a strong sense of community and a commitment to addressing inequalities, values that would later shape her career.

Patricia Bath demonstrated academic excellence early on, graduating from Hunter College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry in 1964. This foundational education in the sciences provided the necessary groundwork for her future medical pursuits.

Dr. Bath earned her medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine in 1968. During her time at Howard, she was recognized for her outstanding academic performance and dedication to medicine. The experience at Howard reinforced her commitment to serving underserved communities.

Following medical school, Dr. Bath completed an internship at Harlem Hospital Center. This experience exposed her to the stark realities of healthcare disparities, particularly the disproportionate rates of blindness among African Americans and the poor, solidifying her resolve to address these inequalities.

Dr. Bath made history as the first African American female ophthalmologist at the UCLA Medical Center and also the first woman to be on the faculty of the UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute. This marked a significant achievement in her career and paved the way for future generations of minority women in medicine.

Driven by her passion to eliminate preventable blindness, Dr. Bath co-founded the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness (AIPB) in 1975. The AIPB aimed to promote eye health, provide vision care to underserved communities, and educate the public about the importance of preventative measures.

Dr. Bath is best known for inventing the Laserphaco Probe, a revolutionary device for cataract surgery. Patented in 1988, the Laserphaco Probe uses laser technology to precisely and painlessly remove cataracts, making the procedure more efficient and accessible. This invention significantly improved the lives of countless individuals suffering from cataracts worldwide.

Dr. Bath's patent for the Laserphaco Probe marked another historic achievement as she became the first African American woman to receive a medical patent. This recognition underscored her groundbreaking contributions to ophthalmology and solidified her legacy as an innovator.

After a distinguished career at UCLA Medical Center, Dr. Bath retired in 1993. However, her retirement did not signify the end of her work. She continued to advocate for eye health and remained active in the scientific community.

Dr. Patricia Era Bath passed away on May 30, 2019, at the age of 76. Her death marked the loss of a true visionary and a champion for equality in medicine. However, her legacy lives on through her inventions, her advocacy work, and the countless individuals she inspired to pursue careers in science and medicine.