Barack Obama honours LASIK inventor
Wednesday, February 13 2013 | 00 h 00 min | News
American President Barack Obama awarded Gholam Peyman, the inventor of LASIK eye surgery, the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. This is the highest honour that scientists, engineers and inventors can receive in the United States.
The professor of optical sciences and engineering at the University of Arizona received his medal at a White House ceremony on February 1, along with eleven other scientists honoured for their discoveries or inventions.
“When Gholam Peyman first accepted a position at the office of the University of Illinois, his office was a converted restroom,” President Obama said. “But he carved out enough space for himself, his secretary and his lab equipment, and today he is known as the father of LASIK eye surgery.”
Gholam Peyman has more than 135 patents, in addition to the LASIK invention. His inventions cover medical devices, intraocular drug delivery systems, surgical techniques, laser and optical instruments and new methods for diagnosis and treatment.
The National Medal of Technology and Innovation was created in 1980.
Sources:
http://www.visionmonday.com/ViewContent/tabid/211/content_id/39064/catId/103/Default.aspx
