Imagine a world without sight. The Doris Stein Eye Research Center stands as a beacon of hope against that darkness. It is dedicated to advancing eye care. This center is not just a building. It is a testament to vision, research, and unwavering commitment.
Here at the Doris Stein Eye Research Center, we delve into the story of how this center came to be. It began with Dr. Jules Stein and his wife Doris. They had an ambitious plan in the late 1950s. It was to prevent blindness and transform vision research.
Dr. Stein was an influential executive in entertainment. He returned to his medical roots. He became a national advocate for vision science. Dr. Bradley R. Straatsma also played a vital role. He created a bold plan to expand ophthalmology at UCLA’s School of Medicine. Together, they ensured the center would transform vision science. It would be a powerful platform for discovery and patient care. The goal was to eradicate blindness.
Since 1966, the Stein Eye Institute has made great progress. It developed knowledge about the eye. It improved vision through patient care, research, education, and community outreach. The center’s philosophy is simple. Care is the primary goal. It is the ultimate expression of research and education.
Patient care has flourished since the institute’s founding. From 23000 patient visits in the first year, it now treats over 1000 patients daily. This happens at the Westwood campus. Hundreds more are treated at UCLA-affiliated hospitals. These vision care centers span Southern California.
Jules Stein’s interest in ophthalmology was profound. His wife Doris played a vital role. After visiting the New York Lighthouse for the Blind, Doris urged Jules to take action. This led to a range of programs that boosted eye research.
Doris Stein served as an officer. She was a director of Research to Prevent Blindness. She led the appeal for more resources to study eye diseases. She suggested that Jules create an eye institute at UCLA. Her enthusiasm nurtured its development. It became a unique provider of vision research and patient care. She focused on initiatives to combat blindness worldwide. In 1989, the Doris Stein Eye Research Center was dedicated in her honor.
The UCLA Stein Eye Institute has three adjacent buildings. There is the Jules Stein Eye Institute inaugurated in 1966. There is the Doris Stein Eye Research Center, dedicated in 1989. Lastly, there is the Edie and Lew Wasserman Building. It opened in 2014 as a surgical center. These facilities provide nearly 300000 square feet of functional space.
Choosing the Doris Stein Eye Research Center means choosing innovation. It means expert care. It means a commitment to improving eye health for all patients. The center blends advanced research with compassionate treatment. Ophthalmologists and researchers discover new therapies for complex conditions.
The Doris Stein Eye Research Center is more than just a building. It embodies hope, vision, and a relentless pursuit of a world free from blindness.