Bascom Palmer Eye Institute is the

University of Miami The University of Miami (UM, UMiami, Miami, U of M, and The U) is a private research university in Coral Gables, Florida. , the university enrolled 19,096 students in 12 colleges and schools across nearly 350 academic majors and programs, i ...

School of Medicine's ophthalmic care, research, and education center. The institute is based in the Health District of

Miami Miami ( ), officially the City of Miami, known as "the 305", "The Magic City", and "Gateway to the Americas", is a coastal metropolis and the county seat of Miami-Dade County in South Florida, United States. With a population of 442,241 at ...

Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and ...

, and has been ranked consistently as the best eye hospital and vision research center in the nation. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute faculty and staff treat patients from around the world at the institute's multi-location facilities, including its flagship location in Miami and at satellite facilities elsewhere in

Miami-Dade County Miami-Dade County is a county located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Florida. The county had a population of 2,701,767 as of the 2020 census, making it the most populous county in Florida and the seventh-most populous county in ...

Broward County Broward County ( , ) is a county in the southeastern part of Florida, located in the Miami metropolitan area. It is Florida's second-most populous county after Miami-Dade County and the 17th-most populous in the United States, with over 1.94 m ...

Palm Beach County Palm Beach County is a county located in the southeastern part of Florida and lies directly north of Broward County and Miami-Dade County. The county had a population of 1,492,191 as of the 2020 census, making it the third-most populous county ...

, and

Collier County Collier County is a county in the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 375,752; an increase of 16.9% since the 2010 United States Census. Its county seat is East Naples, where the county offices were moved from ...

South Florida South Florida is the southernmost region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is one of Florida's three most commonly referred to directional regions; the other two are Central Florida and North Florida. South Florida is the southernmost part of ...

. The institute's clinical faculty treats more than 250,000 patients annually, provides 24-hour emergency care, and is the only community-based ophthalmic care center for indigent and low-income patients of Miami-Dade County.

History

Ophthalmology at the University of Miami School of Medicine began in 1955 and attained departmental status in 1959, one year after Norton became the department's first full-time chairman. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute was founded seven years later, on January 20, 1962, by Edward W. D. Norton, a

neuro-ophthalmologist Neuro-ophthalmology is an academically-oriented subspecialty that merges the fields of neurology and ophthalmology, often dealing with complex systemic diseases that have manifestations in the visual system. Neuro-ophthalmologists initially comp ...

retinal Retinal (also known as retinaldehyde) is a polyene chromophore. Retinal, bound to proteins called opsins, is the chemical basis of visual phototransduction, the light-detection stage of visual perception (vision). Some microorganisms use reti ...

specialist, administrator and professor who joined the

's School of Medicine with aspirations of building a regional ophthalmic center in

. The institute was named after Bascom H. Palmer, a

ophthalmologist Ophthalmology ( ) is a surgical subspecialty within medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. An ophthalmologist is a physician who undergoes subspecialty training in medical and surgical eye care. Following a med ...

who settled in Miami in the 1920s. The Bascom Palmer Eye Institute's founding five physicians, including Norton, Victor Curtin, the first faculty member, who was hired in 1959 and established the institute's

pathology Pathology is the study of the causes and effects of disease or injury. The word ''pathology'' also refers to the study of disease in general, incorporating a wide range of biology research fields and medical practices. However, when used in ...

laboratory and its eye bank, which has provided ophthalmologists with donor eye tissue for more than 30,000 patients since its 1962 founding, J. Lawton Smith, a neuro-ophthalmologist, who created the nation's first post-graduate neuro-ophthalmology course, J. Donald M. Gass, a

macular degeneration Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD), is a medical condition which may result in blurred or no vision in the center of the visual field. Early on there are often no symptoms. Over time, however, so ...

specialist who developed

fluorescein angiography Fluorescein angiography (FA), fluorescent angiography (FAG), or fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) is a technique for examining the circulation of the retina and choroid (parts of the fundus) using a fluorescent dye and a specialized camera. S ...

as a diagnostic tool, and John T. Flynn, a pediatric ophthalmologist who established the institute's Children's Clinic. The institute was officially opened on January 20, 1962. John Clarkson, a vitreoretinal specialist and surgeon, succeeded Norton in 1991 and chaired the institute until 1996. Richard Parrish, a

glaucoma Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that result in damage to the optic nerve (or retina) and cause vision loss. The most common type is open-angle (wide angle, chronic simple) glaucoma, in which the drainage angle for aqueous humor, fluid withi ...

specialist, became the institute's third chairman in 1996 and served for three years. Richard Forster, a

cornea The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber. Along with the anterior chamber and lens, the cornea refracts light, accounting for approximately two-thirds of the eye's total optical ...

and external disease specialist, served as interim chairman from 1999 until 2001.

Carmen A. Puliafito Carmen Anthony Puliafito (born 1951) was an American ophthalmologist and academic administrator. From 2007 until March 2016, he was dean of the Keck School of Medicine of USC. In 2017, the '' Los Angeles Times'' revealed that Puliafito had engage ...

, a vitreoretinal specialist and surgeon, was appointed chairman of the institute and medical director of the Anne Bates Leach Eye Hospital in July 2001, serving until October 2007. Eduardo C. Alfonso, a cornea and external disease specialist, is Bascom Palmer Eye Institute's present chairman and has served in that capacity since June 2009.

Medical firsts

*In 1965, Bascom Palmer physicians Noble J. David, J. Lawton Smith, Edward W. D. Norton, J. Donald M. Gass, and medical photographer Johnny Justice, Jr. pioneered the use of

fluorescein Fluorescein is an organic compound and dye based on the xanthene tricyclic structural motif, formally belonging to triarylmethine dyes family. It is available as a dark orange/red powder slightly soluble in water and alcohol. It is widely used ...

angiography Angiography or arteriography is a medical imaging technique used to visualize the inside, or lumen, of blood vessels and organs of the body, with particular interest in the arteries, veins, and the heart chambers. Modern angiography is perfor ...

for the diagnosis of macular and

diseases, which led to the accurate description and effective treatment of retinal disorders. *In 1971, Bascom Palmer research investigators established the clinical value of

vitrectomy Vitrectomy is a surgery to remove some or all of the vitreous humor from the eye. Anterior vitrectomy entails removing small portions of the vitreous humor from the front structures of the eye—often because these are tangled in an intraocular ...

(removal of the

vitreous humor The vitreous body (''vitreous'' meaning "glass-like"; , ) is the clear gel that fills the space between the lens and the retina of the eyeball (the vitreous chamber) in humans and other vertebrates. It is often referred to as the vitreous humor ...

) to treat retinal detachments,

diabetic retinopathy Diabetic retinopathy (also known as diabetic eye disease), is a medical condition in which damage occurs to the retina due to diabetes mellitus. It is a leading cause of blindness in developed countries. Diabetic retinopathy affects up to 80 perc ...

, infectious diseases of the eye, and severe ocular trauma. *In 1989, in a successful effort to restore the vitality to ocular mucous membranes, Bascom Palmer faculty introduced

limbal stem cell Limbal stem cells, also known as corneal epithelial stem cells, are stem cells located in the basal epithelial layer of the corneal limbus. They form the border between the cornea and the sclera. Characteristics of limbal stem cells include a sl ...

transplantation therapy, which now can prevent potentially blinding

corneal The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber. Along with the anterior chamber and lens, the cornea refracts light, accounting for approximately two-thirds of the eye's total optical p ...

scarring. Also in 1989, Bascom Palmer researchers identified the

herpes Herpes simplex is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. Infections are categorized based on the part of the body infected. Oral herpes involves the face or mouth. It may result in small blisters in groups often called cold ...

virus as the cause of

acute retinal necrosis Acute retinal necrosis (ARN) is a medical inflammatory condition of the eye. The condition presents itself as a necrotizing retinitis. The inflammation onset is due to certain herpes viruses, varicella zoster virus (VZV), herpes simplex virus (HSV ...

, a devastating infection of the retina often caused by

HIV/AIDS Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a retrovirus. Following initial infection an individual ...

. *In 1995, Bascom Palmer faculty member Robert H. Machemer conducted the first successful

vitreous Vitreous may refer to: Materials * Glass, an amorphous solid material ** Vitreous enamel, a material made by fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing * Vitreous lustre, a glassy luster or sheen on a mineral surface Biology * Vitreous bod ...

surgery and invented the miniature surgical instrumentation used in this procedure. *In 2006, Bascom Palmer physicians and scientists pioneered studies into the effective treatment of the wet form of age-related

, using the FDA-approved

colorectal cancer Colorectal cancer (CRC), also known as bowel cancer, colon cancer, or rectal cancer, is the development of cancer from the colon or rectum (parts of the large intestine). Signs and symptoms may include blood in the stool, a change in bowel ...

drug

Bevacizumab Bevacizumab, sold under the brand name Avastin among others, is a medication used to treat a number of types of cancers and a specific eye disease. For cancer, it is given by slow injection into a vein (intravenous) and used for colon cancer, l ...

. *In 2009, Bascom Palmer surgeons performed the first modified

osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis Osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP), also known as "tooth in eye" surgery, is a medical procedure to restore vision in the most severe cases of corneal and ocular surface patients. It includes removal of a tooth from the patient or a donor. Af ...

surgery in the United States, restoring vision to a woman who had been blind for nine years. The procedure involved several surgeries culminating with implanting her tooth in her eye as a base to hold a prosthetic lens.

Services

The institute provides 24-hour emergency care and is the only community-based ophthalmic care center for indigent and low-income patients

. Faculty and staff treat patients with most eye disorders and diseases, including:

Retina The retina (from la, rete "net") is the innermost, light-sensitive layer of tissue of the eye of most vertebrates and some molluscs. The optics of the eye create a focused two-dimensional image of the visual world on the retina, which the ...

and

Vitreous Vitreous may refer to: Materials * Glass, an amorphous solid material ** Vitreous enamel, a material made by fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing * Vitreous lustre, a glassy luster or sheen on a mineral surface Biology * Vitreous bod ...

Diseases and Surgery

Glaucoma Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that result in damage to the optic nerve (or retina) and cause vision loss. The most common type is open-angle (wide angle, chronic simple) glaucoma, in which the drainage angle for aqueous humor, fluid withi ...

Corneal The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber. Along with the anterior chamber and lens, the cornea refracts light, accounting for approximately two-thirds of the eye's total optical p ...

and external diseases
Laser Vision Center treatments

Neuro-ophthalmology Neuro-ophthalmology is an academically-oriented subspecialty that merges the fields of neurology and ophthalmology, often dealing with complex systemic diseases that have manifestations in the visual system. Neuro-ophthalmologists initially complet ...

Ophthalmic

oncology Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the study, treatment, diagnosis and prevention of cancer. A medical professional who practices oncology is an ''oncologist''. The name's etymological origin is the Greek word ὄγκος (''ó ...

Ophthalmic plastic and orbital surgery
Pediatric ophthalmology

Ophthalmic pathology Ophthalmic pathology is the subspecialty of surgical pathology and also a subspecialty of ophthalmology which deals with the diagnosis and characterization of neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases of the eyes. Ophthalmic pathologists generally wor ...

Uveitis Uveitis () is inflammation of the uvea, the pigmented layer of the eye between the inner retina and the outer fibrous layer composed of the sclera and cornea. The uvea consists of the middle layer of pigmented vascular structures of the eye and in ...

Comprehensive ophthalmology
24-hour emergency in Miami
Optical services

Contact lens Contact lenses, or simply contacts, are thin lenses placed directly on the surface of the eyes. Contact lenses are ocular prosthetic devices used by over 150 million people worldwide, and they can be worn to correct vision or for cosmeti ...

service

Low vision Visual impairment, also known as vision impairment, is a medical definition primarily measured based on an individual's better eye visual acuity; in the absence of treatment such as correctable eyewear, assistive devices, and medical treatment� ...

rehabilitation

Rankings

In 2020, '' U.S. News & World Report'' ranked Bascom Palmer Eye Institute the best

ophthalmology Ophthalmology ( ) is a surgical subspecialty within medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. An ophthalmologist is a physician who undergoes subspecialty training in medical and surgical eye care. Following a me ...

hospital and research center in the United States for the 17th consecutive year and 19th year overall since the institute's 1962 founding.

References

External links

* {{authority control Hospital buildings completed in 1962 1962 establishments in Florida Hospitals established in 1962 Hospitals in Florida University of Miami Eye hospitals in the United States