pediatric housecalls Robert R. Jarrett M.D. M.B.A. FAAP

Charles D. Kelman

March 9, 2023

At home as much with the likes of Johnny Carson, Merv Griffin, Barbara Walters, Oprah Winfrey, and David Letterman as he was with the operating microscope and patients, Doctor Charles D. Kelman gave back the gift of sight to millions of people with his treatment of cataracts through the invention of phacoemulsification, making him number 27 on our list of the most influential doctors of all time.

Dr. Charles D. Kelman, phacoemulsification in the treatment of cataracts

Doctor Kelman’s innovative techniques of the cryoprobe, phacoemulsification, and extracapsular cataract extraction in the field of ophthalmology revolutionized the care of cataracts, transformed the specialty, and improved the lives of millions.

Charles D. Kelman (1930—2004) – #27
Pioneer in Ophthalmology, Surgeon, Inventor, Jazz Musician, Entertainer, Broadway Producer, Lecturer and Author

Early Life and Education of Charles D. Kelman

Charles David Kelman was born to Eva and David Kelman on May 23, 1930 in Brooklyn, New York. Growing up in East New York he eventually moved with the family to Forest Hills, Queens.

A Jewish immigrant from Greece, his father never received the proper compensation and recognition for his inventions, including the first tar-free cigarettes and cellophane Christmas wreaths, which prompted him to teach his son son to proudly seek recognition of his own inventions.

At the age of four, Charles learned to play his first instrument, the harmonica and he began playing regularly for The Horn and Hardart Children’s Hour radio show. He became skilled on the saxophone and clarinet as well and received professional training from musicians in the big band era.

While attending Forest Hills High School, he played in the high school band and became first clarinet of the New York All-City Orchestra.

Although he dreamed of stardom in music, at age 17 his father told him to bring his saxophone to the basement of their house and play for him. He complied and played a song by Jimmy Dorsey after which his father asked if he had played as well as Dorsey. When Charles admitted he had not, his father announced: “You’ll be a doctor.”

Education and Career

Kelman graduated from Tufts University with a B.S. degree in just two years (1950). He then studied medicine at the University of Geneva and upon learning of his father’s cancer diagnosis accelerated his studies to obtain his M.D. degree in 1956; although it was after his father had passed. He interned at Kings County Hospital and did residency at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia.

He started an ophthalmology private practice in 1960, began experimenting and developed the cryoprobe to freeze cataractous lenses so they could be removed intact. Then in 1963 he invented cryopexy to treat retinal detachment before applying for a grant to develop a method of doing cataract removal as an outpatient! He got the grant but saw an ultrasonic device being used by dentists so invented a completely new technique to break up the cataract before removal with an ultra-small incision.

He called it “phacoemulsification” which has now become standard practice; BUT, not without major backlash, criticism and claims of malpractice lasting for almost five years. The official American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) finally stepped in with a definitive study proving it was as effective as the prior technique; but, because it was much less painful, complicated with shorter hospital stay, it quickly became the method of choice. Kelman’s TV appearances with Johnny Carson helped. The invention of the silicone replacement lens which could be folded to be inserted in the smaller incision pretty much sealed the deal.

Taking his father’s advice, Kelman obtained patents on all his inventions (over 100), signed agreements with manufacturers and promoted all his work using celebrity patients and television appearances. He wrote and published books and articles, taught at New York Medical College and augmented his work by continuing to appear on TV, stage and in Jazz Clubs, always promoting his procedures whenever he could. He developed a musical comedy routine to perform in Atlantic City and Las Vegas alongside Glen Campbell, James Darren, Dizzy Gillespie and others, rented Carnegie Hall for benefit concerts, co-produced Broadway musicals and recorded record albums.

Later life:

Kelman won numerous awards and honors including the “Congressional Salute” of the 97th Congress and the National Medial of Technology in 1992 from President George H. W. Bush. He remained active his whole life inventing a way to create collagen from a patient’s skin to avoid allergic reactions and learning to fly a helicopter. He became known as the “father of phacoemulsification,” as of 2011 one of the most common surgeries in the world with more than 9.5 million yearly procedures.

He and his first wife Joan Kelman (later Bernstein) had three children: David Joseph (who died in 2003), Lesley, and Jennifer. With his second wife Ann, he had three sons: Evan, Jason, and Seth. In 1996, Kelman moved to Boca Raton, where he died of lung cancer on June 1, 2004, at the age of 74.

Biographic Summary

Charles David Kelman was a pioneering Cataract surgeon, inventor, lecturer, author, jazz musician, entertainer and Broadway producer.
Born: May 23, 1930, in Brooklyn, New York
Died: June 1, 2004, Boca Raton, Florida
Education: B.S., Tuft’s University 1950; M.D., University of Geneva 1956
Known for: Invention of sight-saving cataract surgery, the “father of phacoemulsification,” Jazz musician, Broadway producer and Author
Books: The book “Through My Eyes” and numerous other publications.
Parents: Eva and David Kelman