Contributions and Legacies of Selected Black Pioneers in Ophthalmology and Institutional Milestones

Establishing a record of key contributions of early Black ophthalmologists can help illuminate future generations. We aimed to identify major physician pioneers in ophthalmology, delineate their contributions, and place their ascendance in a historical context to understand the institutional and cultural barriers they overcame to achieve success. PubMed and other databases were searched, along with death notices and archeological records, using “Black,” “African American,” “eye surgeon,” “Negro,” “Journal of the National Medical Association” and other search terms. Librarians from the Library of Congress, National Institutes of Health, and key ophthalmology training institutions were consulted, as were the American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Board of Ophthalmology. Family members and colleagues of selected deceased pioneers were interviewed. Many early pioneers emerged from historically Black institutions, as Black students and practitioners were then typically excluded elsewhere. Mentorship is a key theme that emerged in the careers of many pioneers and the Black ophthalmologists they trained. Black ophthalmologists have contributed tremendously to eye-care practice, education, and innovation. Efforts to recruit and train Black ophthalmologists should include highlighting the roles of Black pioneers, increasing educational and training access for the underrepresented in medicine at the institutional level, and expanding pathway and mentorship programs. NOTE: Publication of this article is sponsored by the American Ophthalmological Society.