Charles D. Kelman, MD, died Tuesday, June 1, at the age of 74 after a long fight with cancer.

“The life of a great scientist and physician has come to an end. Dr. Kelman’s research and contributions to ophthalmology are central to very core of the mission of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS). His pioneering work has led directly to the restoration of vision for million of people across the world. He had that rare combination of abilities to see what might be and the courage and tenacity to bring it to reality,” said Priscilla Perry, MD, ASCRS President. “He has earned the respect and admiration of the entire ophthalmic community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time,” she added.

Kelman was born in Brooklyn, New York. He received a BS from Tufts University in 1950 and completed his medical studies at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, in 1956. He held more than 100 patents and received numerous awards, including the American Academy of Achievement Award (1970), the Ridley Medal from the International Congress of Ophthalmology (1990), and the Inventor of the Year Award from The New York Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law Association (1992).

Dr. Kelman is best known as the father of phacoemulsification. He also pioneered cryoextraction of cataracts and the use of freezing for the repair of retinal detachments. His realization that ultrasonic vibrations could be used to emulsify the lens of the eye and extract it through a very small incision revolutionized cataract surgery.

For that technique, he was awarded the National Medal of Technology by President George H. W. Bush in 1992. Dr. Kelman delivered the ASCRS Binkhorst Lecture in 1989, the ASCRS Innovator’s Lecture in 1985, and he was inducted into the ASCRS Ophthalmology Hall of Fame in 1999. He is the only ophthalmologist to be in all three categories and the first to deliver the Innovator’s Lecture and be inducted into the ASCRS Ophthalmology Hall of Fame. ASCRS named him as one of the most influential ophthalmologists of the 20th Century. In Dr. Kelman’s honor, the ASCRS Executive Committee renamed the Innovator’s Lecture Award to the Charles D. Kelman Innovator’s Lecture. Dr. Kelman served as President of ASCRS from 1995–1997.

Neurosurgeons have adopted the Kelman phacoemulsification machine to dissect tumors from delicate brain and spinal cord tissue in children. In this way, the device has saved hundreds of young lives.

Dr. Kelman was Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at New York Medical College and an Attending Surgeon at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary and Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital. He was a consultant surgeon to many hospitals across the world.

Dr. Kelman also designed numerous ophthalmic instruments as well as phakic and aphakic intraocular lenses and made significant contributions to plastic surgery. In addition to his surgical skills, he was an accomplished Broadway producer, composer, and jazz saxophonist.

Dr. Kelman died in Boca Raton, Florida. He is survived by his wife Ann, his children Lesley Kelman-Koeppel, and Jennifer, Evan, Jason, and Seth Kelman. He had a deceased son David. He was father-in-law to David Koeppel, brother and brother-in-law to Ruth and Robert Dorfman and grandfather to Noah, Adam, and Claire Koeppel. Contributions in his memory may be made to The Dr. Charles and Ann Kelman Family Foundation, Inc., 220 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016.

In 2003, ASCRS renamed the Innovator’s Lecture to the Charles D. Kelman Innovator’s Lecture Award. Pictured with Dr. Kelman (R) are Ioannis Pallikaris, MD, (L) the 2003 honoree, and Manus Kraff, MD, ASCRS Symposium Program chairman.