Comments on: Through My Eyes: The Charlie Kelman Story

By: Al Brown

Al Brown — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:32:00 +0000

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.

By: ron odrich

ron odrich — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:38:58 +0000

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.

By: Sheila Watson Coutin

Sheila Watson Coutin — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 16:43:37 +0000

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!

By: Kathy Friendly Leichtung

Kathy Friendly Leichtung — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:54:14 +0000

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..

By: Allan Leider

Allan Leider — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:12:13 +0000

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.

By: Audrey

Audrey — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 01:00:14 +0000

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.

By: marolin

marolin — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:53:35 +0000

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….

By: A. Mayo

A. Mayo — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 02:20:11 +0000

I can’t wait to see the documentary and would have loved to be associated with this pioneer.

By: Lenard Muroff,C.O.A., Administrator

Lenard Muroff,C.O.A., Administrator — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:49:46 +0000

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.

By: Lesley Kelman Koeppel

Lesley Kelman Koeppel — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:19:50 +0000

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.