She graduated from Howard University School of Medicine with honors in 1968, and later completed advance training at New York and Columbia University in ophthalmology and corneal transplant.  As an intern at Harlem Hospital, 1968, Dr. Patricia E. Bath felt a need to be of service and support to the thousands of African Americans who were experiencing blindness from glaucoma at a rate of eight times more than the general population.  Dr. Patricia Era Bath’s principle belief is that “eyesight is a basic human right.” 

Dr. Bath invented and patented three medical devices that are associated with the Laserphaco Probe in 1981 and 1986.  The invention improved patient’s sight who suffered with cataracts.  The device would painlessly vaporize, irrigate, clean and insert the cataract eye with accurate laser surgery technology.  Also, she was granted a patent in 2000 for using ultrasound technology to heal cataracts.  She corrected the eyesight of people who had impaired vision for several years. She stated that, “Yes, I’m interested in equal opportunities…my battles are in science.” 

Some of Dr. Patricia Era Bath’s academic accomplishments and honors are: She won the National Science Foundation Scholarship in high school, it inspired her interest in medicine.  In 1960, received the Mademoiselle magazine “Merit Award” for her contributions to a cancer research project.  At Howard University she was the president of the Student Medical Association.   Received National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health and Columbia University fellowships.  The first African American to serve residency at New York University’s ophthalmology department.  The first women professor at the Eye Institute. The cofounder and president for the Prevention of Blindness in 1976 and 1978.   In 1993, the first woman on the honorary staff at UCLA.  Was professor of Ophthalmology at Howard University School of Medicine, Telemedicine and St. Georges University.  Also, cofounder of the King-Drew Medical Center ophthalmology training program.   In addition, she was honored at Hunter College and placed in its “Hall of Fame”, in 1988 and as a “Pioneer in Academic Medicine” at Howard University in 1993.  Dr. Patricia Era Bath has lectured internationally and authored over 100 scholarly research papers.