Samuel Blum

Excimer eye surgery— IBM researchers Srinivasan, Wynne, and Blum developed this technique used in LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) eye surgery, which has improved the eyesight of more than 5 million people and allowed many to give up their glasses and contact lenses. The procedure uses an ultraviolet excimer laser to reshape the cornea without damaging the surrounding tissue. (2002)