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Let your local public television station know you want to see Through My Eyes: The Charlie Kelman Story. Visit pbs.org/stationfinder for contact details.
Through My Eyes: The Charlie Kelman Story celebrates the jazzy double life of Dr. Charles D. Kelman, the saxophone-playing ophthalmologist who reinvented cataract surgery with his groundbreaking phacoemulsification procedure. The one-hour documentary is at once a fascinating study of scientific discovery; a rumination on the dynamic of fathers and sons; a cloak-and-dagger adventure; and a one-of-a-kind success story launched at the intersection of failure, fame and fate that gives hope to anyone who has ever harbored a secret dream. Discover why millions of cataract, gall bladder, brain, and spinal cord surgery patients worldwide have Chubby Checker to thank for their quick recovery – and how a visit to the dentist paved the way for today’s medical business model. Through My Eyes: The Charlie Kelman Story premieres nationwide on public television stations in January 2010 (check local listings). Read more.
A production of Anker Productions, Inc. for WLIW21 in association with WNET.ORG. Executive Producer: Roy A Hammond. Producer/Director: Daniel Anker. Funding for Through My Eyes: The Charlie Kelman Story was made possible by The International Retinal Research Foundation; Alcon; The American Academy of Ophthalmology; Bausch and Lomb; Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island; Wills Eye Institute; Astoria Federal Savings; James B. Carty, Jr., M.D.; Aker Kasten Eye Center; Jerre Minor Freeman, M.D., of Memphis Eye & Cataract Associates; and BWD Group, LLC.
The Charles Kelman Tribute is an outstanding review of the incredible and talented Charles Kelman, MD
I had the privilege of meeting Dr.Kelman once, and I know his story, and I am thrilled that thousand more can here it.
Dr. Kelman was multi-talented and multi-dimensional. He was one of the most inspiring people I have ever had the privilege to know.
I am thrilled that PBS has made a documentary on the life of my father! It is wonderful that many will be able to see what my sister and I experienced firsthand growing up. Thank you, PBS and everyone who worked so hard to make this happen.
Wow, this preview brings back many fond memories. Having worked with Charlie Kelman from 1973-1979, I was fortunate enough to share many of the historical moments of phaco with him, in the early days of surgery at MEETH, Lydia Hall Hospital on Long Island, and St. Barnabus in Livingston, NJ. I recall videotaping all the surgeries along with co-instructing the phaco course to over 30 surgeons a week, 3 weeks a month, as well as videotaping the cocktail parties at the Gaslight Club, and of course the great event at Carnegie Hall. Charlie gave me my first opportunity in the allied health area of Ophthalmology, and the opportunity to be involved with his Enstrom helicopter. Those were the days when I was able to bring a phaco hand piece to Long Island City and wait while it was repaired. It was great to work on many projects with him including his first IOL. I thank Charlie for leading me through the career path to where I am today as administrator, C.O.A., and inventor of my own Ophthalmological eye drop device E-Z Drops.
I can’t wait to see the documentary and would have loved to be associated with this pioneer.
to tell you the truth I never heard of mr kelman I was fliping chanels and ran into mr kelman’s documentary I thought it was great well great its not enough he is such a great role model not just for me but for everyone he is just an example of what can be done if you follow your dreams no matter what anyone tells you….PBS thank you for the GREAT Documentary….
A wonderful story about a man who would never give up. The establishment should be ashamed of itself. Sadly it isn’t and stories such as Dr Kelman’s are common, to this day. Many thanks to this doctor who improved the lives of millions of people around the world.
My wife Ronnie and I started out as patients of Dr. Kelman and ultimately became socially friendly as well. He was a brillient surgeon and a wonderful human being as well. We were privilaged to know him and are thrilled that his story was made into a documentary.
We were so happy to see this special on Charles Kelman MD.
Charlie was an amazing person.
There was no mention of his first wife Joan..and I would like to say that Joan was a lovely, beautiful
great person as well..
I discovered this program by chance, and was delighted to do so. In 1965 I was Charlie’s first research nurse at MEETH. He was not only a brilliant surgeon but a lot of fun to work with! Those phone calls at 3 am telling me to prepare the lab right away because he’d had a great idea, the calls at 5am telling me he’d pick me up in 15 minutes to fly over Manhattan in his small plane to watch the sun rise and still be in the office by 9! We emulsified egg yolks (and other things!) in the lab, and we operated with curtains covering the OR windows to discourage curious onlookers. We also shopped for seaplanes, and drove on the sidewalk in an attempt to pick up a police escort when he was late for scheduled surgery! His enthusiasm for life knew no limits!
Charlie was a multi-talented unique personality with true genius and a wonderful friend. The contributions he made have benefitted literally millions of people and saved countless millions of hours of post-surgical hospital care, costs and discomfort…He was a highly gifted musician and a helluva fine saxophone player. The world misses his boundless enthusiasm, ever searching curiosity and fervent desire to succeed in overcoming all resistance to his remarkable achievements.
A marvelously well done documentary and Bravo to Charlie.
I just caught the last half of this and am grateful for the work of this pioneer. I have my own medical innovation in works, so I am also inspired.
Both my parents have had this surgery and the fact that it was relatively free of pain and inconvenience mattered a lot when they made their decisions to get it.