Focus on Eyes: Dr. Isabel Barrows was a pioneer in the field of ophthalmology

Dr. Isabel Barrows was the first American woman who practiced in the specialty of ophthalmology.

Isabel Hayes was born to Scottish immigrants in 1845. Her father, Dr. Henry Hayes, was a family physician whom young Isabel spent her early life with, especially during his home visits as a doctor.

Her mother, Anna Gibbs Hayes, was a school teacher who encouraged education in her children.

In 1863, at the age of 18, she traveled with her husband, William Chapin, to India as missionaries.

Unfortunately, William died of diphtheria just 3 months into their journey. Isabel completed her missionary work, however, and then returned to the United States.

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She started working in a sanatorium in Danville, New York, where she met her second husband, Samuel June Barrows, who was a stenographer.

Shortly after the marriage, Samuel was offered a job in Washington, D.C., as secretary for the Secretary of State, William Seward.

When Samuel came down with typhoid fever, she took over his responsibility until he recovered.

Thus, she became the first woman to work at the State Department.

She enrolled to study medicine at Women's Medical College of the New York Infirmary for Women and Children and at Bellevue Hospital in New York.

After graduation, she first traveled to Zurich, Switzerland, where she developed an interest in ophthalmology.

Later she traveled to Vienna, Austria, where she became the first woman to study ophthalmology at the University of Vienna.

She impressed Professor Eduard Jaeger, a giant in the field of ophthalmology, with her performance in cataract surgery.

Upon return to the United States, she was the first woman to own a private practice in Washington, D.C., and the first American woman in the field of ophthalmology.

She taught ophthalmology at the Howard University Medical School, where she was also one of the first woman professors.

Samuel Barrows enrolled at Harvard Divinity School and became a pastor. Dr. Isabel Barrows eventually left her profession and joined her husband in ministry.

She became active in prison reform and various charitable and religious organizations. She worked as a stenographer and editor for numerous conferences.

She supported women's suffrage and human rights. She wrote articles and speeches for social and political reform.

When she passed away in 1913, her daughter, Mabel Hay Barrows Mussey, summed up her life as a hymn of love, joy, and service.

Dr. Frederick Ho, the medical director of Atlantic Eye MD and Atlantic Surgery and Laser Center, is a board certified ophthalmologist. Atlantic Eye MD is located at 8040 N. Wickham Road in Melbourne. To make an appointment please call (321) 757-7272. To learn more visit AtlanticEyeMD.com.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Dr. Isabel Barrows was first American woman in field of ophthalmology