The mission of the Department of Ophthalmology is to be a leadership department, skilled in creating and transferring new medical services and knowledge to patients, students, and established physician/scientists, through Research, Education and specialized patient care.

History:

The University of South Florida Department of Ophthalmology was chartered in 1972 as a founding department in the new medical school. The clinics and residency program began the following year. The Foundation for Eye Research, Inc.  was founded in 1975 by area leaders to promote the development of a center for vision research,  treatment,  and education in the Tampa Bay area.  Working with the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of South Florida,  and concerned community physicians.  the Foundation was the driving force behind the creation of the USF Eye Institute,  a center of excellence in vision care not only for the state of Florida but for the nation.  Planning continued during the following years with construction beginning in January, 1988.  Located on the campus of the University of South Florida,  Tampa,  Florida,  The USF Eye Institute opened for operation in July, 1989. Teaching facilities of the program include the USF Eye Institute, Veteran's Administration Hospital, Tampa General Hospital and All Children's Hospital. The USF Eye Institute is designed to be a center of excellence providing the finest in patient care,  research,  teaching and public education.  Cooperation between the Eye Institute and the community in the utilization of this facility is unique among eye institutes in the United States.