The University of South Florida Ophthalmology Department is committed to the support of excellence in clinical eye research with both investigator-initiated and sponsor studies. The department research division manages a portfolio of clinical trials and basic science research investigations. The Division has a post-graduate research training program and is involved in the development of programs for residents and medical students.

The USF Eye Institute is able to support the study of new treatments in human disease through participation in large scale multicenter, federally or privately sponsored trials and to the understanding of eye diseases. The research mission of the USF Eye Institute is to pioneer new ideas and technologies, which will lead to better and alternative treatments of eye diseases in the near future.