The Academy is building a new Museum of the Eye. It will be the only medical museum in San Francisco and the only publicly accessible, comprehensive collection of ophthalmic artifacts on permanent display in the United States.
This free, public museum and education center will introduce the world to the science of sight — and to the field of ophthalmology dedicated to protecting it. From virtual reality headsets to interactive screens, the museum will use cutting-edge technology to connect visitors to the science of sight. It will fill a critical gap in general knowledge about vision and the eye.
Transformative Supporters
Stanley M. Truhlsen, MD
Dr. Truhlsen, emeritus professor and former chairman of UNMC’s department of ophthalmology, is nationally recognized in the field of ophthalmology. He graduated from UNMC in 1944 and received UNMC’s Distinguished Service to Medicine Award in 2003. Dr. Truhlsen completed residencies at Albany Hospital in New York and Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. A private practice physician, he joined UNMC’s ophthalmology department in 1951. He served on the UNMC faculty until 1990 and was interim chairman of the department of ophthalmology in 1989-90. Since 1993, he has held the position of emeritus clinical professor of ophthalmology. Dr. Truhlsen is a past president of the College of Medicine’s Alumni Association and served as president of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in 1983 and the American Ophthalmological Society (AOS) in 1996. During Dr. Truhlsen’s tenure as president of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, he participated in the Academy’s launch of the National Eye Care Program. This effort brought together 7,000 volunteer ophthalmologists nationwide who provided, at no cost, care for the elderly in need.
Michael F. Marmor, MD
Michael F. Marmor, MD is a Professor and former Chair of Ophthalmology at Stanford University, and a member of Bio-X, Stanford University’s bioscience institute. Dr. Marmor is an author on numerous peer reviewed journal articles for clinical ophthalmic research. He currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Museum of Vision Program Committee and is a member of the Cogan Ophthalmic History Society. Dr. Marmor has chaired the museum’s history symposia and presented numerous lectures at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting. He published Degas Through His Own Eyes (2006) and co-authored two additional books concerning eye disease and famous artists (1996, 2009). Dr. Marmor also co-edited Foundations of Ophthalmology: Great Insights that Established the Discpline (2017). Dr. Marmor and his wife Jane B. Marmor, established the Michael F. Marmor, MD Lecture of Ophthalmology and the Arts. This lecture, which is delivered every year at the Annual Meeting, provides an interdisciplinary educational presentation that examines the role and relevance of the arts and history to the nature, practice, and impact of ophthalmology.
Make a one-time gift or pledge (PDF) over five years.
With your support, the new Museum of of the Eye will celebrate its grand opening in 2020, taking advantage of the natural publicity around 2020 and 20/20 sight. In the first year alone, we anticipate welcoming more than 30,000 visitors.
Explore the collection.
Naming opportunities (PDF 214KB) are available at many levels. Cement your legacy and inspire generations to come.
"The museum is the vehicle by which our heritage remains both relevant and inspiring; promoting continued discovery and advancement." – Stanley M. Truhlsen, MD, Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of the Eye Champion, Omaha, Neb.
“On behalf of the City and County of San Francisco, I want to congratulate the American Academy of Ophthalmology for bringing the Museum of the Eye to Fisherman’s Wharf. This new center will welcome visitors from all around the world, and will provide unique, interactive opportunities to learn about the science and history of our most treasured sense – our vision. I want to wish the Academy the greatest success!” -- London N. Breed, Mayor, San Francisco
“A new Museum of the Eye in San Francisco will be a jewel in our city’s crown. It will spark curiosity, engage us in our health, and inspire the next generation of ophthalmologists. I have personally experienced vision loss, so it is my great hope that learning from the past while encouraging new innovations for the future will be the legacy of this new museum. Thank you, American Academy of Ophthalmology." -- Willie L. Brown Jr., Former Mayor, San Francisco
“The new Museum of the Eye will be a magnet for medical students, artists, historians and everyday tourists, looking to learn more about the history of vision.” -- Joe D’Alessandro, President and CEO, San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau
ENVISION: Your Chance to Build This Innovative Experience
Your support will help us create a stunning showplace for ophthalmology in a major metropolitan location, establishing a cultural and scientific center with untold value for generations.
Learn more in the Museum of the Eye campaign brochure. (PDF 440KB)
Questions? Contact Tina McGovern, Executive Director, at tmcgovern@aao.org or +1 415.561.8508.