This woman invented an innovative device for laser cataract surgery Dr. Patricia E. Bath invented device that changed way doctors treat cataracts Tags: Dr. Patricia E. Bath at her home office in Los Angeles in 1994 (Patricia E. Bath, M.D., National Institutes of Health) If you’ve ever had to get some sort of laser eye surgery, you likely have Dr. Patricia E. Bath to thank. She invented an innovative device known as the laserphaco, which uses a laser to get rid of cataracts. In Central Florida, there are plenty of places you can visit to get laser vision correction, including Advanced EyeCare in Sanford. Doctors there say there’s no doubt that Bath’s invention created a way to offer patients comfort during surgery today.