Charles Kelman
Encyclopedia
Charles D. Kelman was an ophthalmologist and a pioneer in cataract surgery
.
Kelman was born in Brooklyn
, New York
to David and Eva Kelman. He grew up in Queens
where he attended Forest Hills High School. After graduation, he attended Boston
's Tufts University
, where he earned a B.S.
degree, then studied medicine
at the University of Geneva
where he obtained his M.D.
degree. After intern
ing at Kings County Hospital, he did his residency (1956-1960) at Wills Eye Hospital
in Philadelphia, then worked as an ophthalmologist at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital
in New York.
One of the cataract surgery techniques that Kelman developed, phacoemulsification
, has become today's standard. Inspired by his dentist's ultrasonic
tools, in 1967 Kelman introduced the technique that uses ultrasonic waves to emulsify the nucleus of the eye
's lens
to remove the cataract
s without a large incision. This new surgery removed the need for an extended hospital stay and made the surgery less painful. It has helped 100 million people nation-wide. "Dr. Kelman, who received the National Medal of Technology
from President George H. W. Bush
in 1992, was inducted [in February 2004] into the National Inventors Hall of Fame
in Akron, Ohio
. Neurosurgeons have improved upon the technique and used it to remove tumors from the brain and spinal cord
." (Boston Globe)
In 2004, Kelman died of lung cancer
in Boca Raton, Florida
. He was survived by his wife, Ann, as well as five children, Lesley Kelman Koeppel, Jennifer, Evan, Jason and Seth Kelman. His eldest son, David Joseph Kelman, died in 2003.
Cataract surgery
Cataract surgery is the removal of the natural lens of the eye that has developed an opacification, which is referred to as a cataract. Metabolic changes of the crystalline lens fibers over time lead to the development of the cataract and loss of transparency, causing impairment or loss of vision...
.
Kelman was born in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to David and Eva Kelman. He grew up in Queens
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
where he attended Forest Hills High School. After graduation, he attended Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
's Tufts University
Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
, where he earned a B.S.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree, then studied medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
at the University of Geneva
University of Geneva
The University of Geneva is a public research university located in Geneva, Switzerland.It was founded in 1559 by John Calvin, as a theological seminary and law school. It remained focused on theology until the 17th century, when it became a center for Enlightenment scholarship. In 1873, it...
where he obtained his M.D.
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
degree. After intern
Intern
Internship is a system of onthejob training for white-collar jobs, similar to an apprenticeship. Interns are usually college or university students, but they can also be high school students or post graduate adults seeking skills for a new career. They may also be as young as middle school or in...
ing at Kings County Hospital, he did his residency (1956-1960) at Wills Eye Hospital
Wills Eye Institute
Wills Eye Institute is a non-profit eye clinic and hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was established in 1832 and is the oldest continually operating eye-care facility in the United States...
in Philadelphia, then worked as an ophthalmologist at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital
Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital
Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital is a specialty hospital in New York City that was founded in 1869 and is currently located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan at 210th East 64th Street...
in New York.
One of the cataract surgery techniques that Kelman developed, phacoemulsification
Phacoemulsification
Phacoemulsification refers to modern cataract surgery in which the eye's internal lens is emulsified with an ultrasonic handpiece and aspirated from the eye...
, has become today's standard. Inspired by his dentist's ultrasonic
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is cyclic sound pressure with a frequency greater than the upper limit of human hearing. Ultrasound is thus not separated from "normal" sound based on differences in physical properties, only the fact that humans cannot hear it. Although this limit varies from person to person, it is...
tools, in 1967 Kelman introduced the technique that uses ultrasonic waves to emulsify the nucleus of the eye
Human eye
The human eye is an organ which reacts to light for several purposes. As a conscious sense organ, the eye allows vision. Rod and cone cells in the retina allow conscious light perception and vision including color differentiation and the perception of depth...
's lens
Lens (anatomy)
The crystalline lens is a transparent, biconvex structure in the eye that, along with the cornea, helps to refract light to be focused on the retina. The lens, by changing shape, functions to change the focal distance of the eye so that it can focus on objects at various distances, thus allowing a...
to remove the cataract
Cataract
A cataract is a clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye or in its envelope, varying in degree from slight to complete opacity and obstructing the passage of light...
s without a large incision. This new surgery removed the need for an extended hospital stay and made the surgery less painful. It has helped 100 million people nation-wide. "Dr. Kelman, who received the National Medal of Technology
National Medal of Technology
The National Medal of Technology and Innovation is an honor granted by the President of the United States to American inventors and innovators who have made significant contributions to the development of new and important technology...
from President George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
in 1992, was inducted [in February 2004] into the National Inventors Hall of Fame
National Inventors Hall of Fame
The National Inventors Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to recognizing, honoring and encouraging invention and creativity through the administration of its programs. The Hall of Fame honors the men and women responsible for the great technological advances that make human,...
in Akron, Ohio
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
. Neurosurgeons have improved upon the technique and used it to remove tumors from the brain and spinal cord
Spinal cord
The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular bundle of nervous tissue and support cells that extends from the brain . The brain and spinal cord together make up the central nervous system...
." (Boston Globe)
In 2004, Kelman died of lung cancer
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary...
in Boca Raton, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. He was survived by his wife, Ann, as well as five children, Lesley Kelman Koeppel, Jennifer, Evan, Jason and Seth Kelman. His eldest son, David Joseph Kelman, died in 2003.