Harold Ridley

Harold Ridley was a British ophthalmologist best known for inventing the intraocular lens, a revolutionary device used in cataract surgery. In the 1940s, he noticed that some patients with cataracts who had suffered eye injuries demonstrated improved vision due to the presence of foreign materials in their eyes. This observation led him to develop a lens made from acrylic material that could be implanted after cataract removal. His pioneering work has transformed eye surgery, allowing millions to regain or improve their vision, and significantly influenced modern ophthalmology. Ridley’s contributions have had a lasting impact on eye health globally.