A brief history of the national eye institute

Abstract

Creation of the National Eye Institute in 1968 evolved from an increasing United States government role in health care and scientific research, 19th and 20th century advances in vision science, and lobbying by private interests. The government intermittently supported vision research from the early 20th century until 1950 when Congress added the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness to the National Institutes of Health. In 1954 NINDB began giving consistent support to vision research that was instrumental in achieving effective treatment for several blinding eye diseases. The institute brought an eminent ophthalmologist to direct its clinical operations in 1955 but failed to recruit a prominent ophthalmologist to lead the entire vision research effort. In the 1960s ophthalmologists and private groups persuaded Congress and the president that only a separate eye institute could attract prominent researchers and lead a national vision research effort. After its establishment the National Eye Institute attracted renowned researchers and helped increase the amount of federal funding of vision research. In 1982 two prominent medical schools acclaimed the institute for its world leadership in basic visual science and clinical ophthalmology, including work helping to curb blindness among diabetics.