Harold Ridley (ophthalmologist)

Harold Ridley (10 July 1906 – 25 May 2001) was an English ophthalmologist who is credited with inventing the intraocular lens (IOL) and pioneering modern cataract surgery.

Born in Kibworth Harcourt, Leicestershire, Ridley studied medicine at Pembroke College, Cambridge and St Thomas' Hospital, London. He qualified as a surgeon in 1930 and specialized in ophthalmology.

During World War II, Ridley observed that Royal Air Force pilots whose eyes were injured by fragments of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cockpit canopies did not experience rejection or inflammation. This observation led him to hypothesize that PMMA, a type of plastic, could be used to replace the clouded natural lens removed during cataract surgery.

On 29 November 1949, at St Thomas' Hospital, Ridley performed the first successful implantation of an artificial lens made of PMMA into a human eye. While the initial results were mixed due to issues with surgical technique and lens design, Ridley persevered and continued to refine his methods. His work faced significant skepticism and resistance from the medical community at the time.

Despite the initial controversy, Ridley's pioneering work eventually revolutionized cataract surgery. The intraocular lens became the standard treatment for cataracts, restoring sight to millions of people worldwide. His invention significantly improved the quality of life for those suffering from cataracts, a leading cause of blindness globally.

Ridley received numerous awards and honors for his contributions, including a knighthood in 2000. He died in 2001, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most important figures in the history of ophthalmology. His invention of the intraocular lens is considered one of the most significant medical advances of the 20th century.