Bascom Palmer Eye Institute has established itself as the preeminent ophthalmological facility in the county, if not the world.
Once again, U.S. News & World Report confirmed that fact in its latest rankings of hospitals for 2023-2024. Not that we needed any convincing.
The publication ranked Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of the University of Miami Health System the best hospital in the nation for ophthalmology and treating eye-related conditions. This marks the 20th year in a row – and 22nd time overall – that the venerable institute has topped the rankings.
“We continue to build on our long tradition of leadership in clinical care, scientific discovery, medical education, and community service,” says Eduardo C. Alfonso, M.D., director of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and the Kathleen and Stanley J. Glaser chair in Ophthalmology, in a press release. “Our scientists and clinical researchers are tackling some of the most difficult challenges in ophthalmology while bringing better vision care to patients throughout South Florida and around the world.”
Here’s the 10 ophthalmology hospitals in the U.S., according to U.S. News & World Report:
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute-University of Miami Hospital and Clinics – Miami
- Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals – Philadelphia
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital – Baltimore
- Mass Eye and Ear, Massachusetts General Hospital – Boston
- Stein and Doheny Eye Institutes, UCLA Medical Center – Los Angeles
- University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics – Iowa City
- Duke University Hospital – Durham
- University of Michigan Health Kellogg Eye Center – Ann Arbor
- UCSF Health-UCSF Medical Center – San Francisco
- John A Moran Eye Center, University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics – Salt Lake City
The University of Miami Hospital and Clinics-UHealth Tower in Miami, FL also ranked 20th in the nation for neurology & neurosurgery. Overall, the magazine rated the hospital high-performing in three adult specialties and 10 procedures and conditions.
More from the press release:
In the past year, Bascom Palmer’s team of 1,300 staff and faculty members provided more than 290,000 patients with convenient access to leading-edge vision care at five South Florida facilities, as well as through its rapidly expanding telehealth service. As the department of ophthalmology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Bascom Palmer offers coordinated care for patients with multiple health issues, such as ophthalmic cancers, vascular disorders and genetic-related concerns.
Since its founding in 1962, Bascom Palmer has grown steadily through the decades to become one of the world’s leading eye institutes with a long list of innovations in diagnosing, treating and managing diseases of the cornea, retina, vitreous and optic nerve.
“Today, our researchers use powerful tools like bioinformatics, data analytics, virtual and augmented reality, and artificial intelligence to advance our understanding of glaucoma, macular degeneration, inherited retinal disease, and dozens of rare conditions affecting children and adults,” said Alfonso. “Our most ambitious research initiative is finding a way to transplant an eye and restore vision through the optic nerve. In addition to potential new therapies for currently untreatable diseases, a successful whole eye transplant could be a breakthrough discovery that offers hope for patients with spinal cord injuries and other nerve-damaging conditions.”
Most recently, a 14-year old boy with a rare genetic condition had his vision restored after receiving the first-of-its-kind topical gene therapy treatment at Bascom Palmer. This therapy could potentially treat millions of people with other eye diseases that have a genetic component. The Institute also has one of the largest gene therapy programs in the nation with its establishment of the Mark J. Daily Inherited Retinal Diseases Research Center offering more clinical trials and bringing renewed hope for patients facing these incurable vision disorders.
In addition, Bascom Palmer’s ophthalmology residency program is also ranked the best in the United States by Doximity, an online professional network for U.S. physicians. “We appreciate this endorsement from our ophthalmic colleagues,” said Steven Gedde, M.D., vice chair of education and holder of the John G. Clarkson chair in Ophthalmology. “We recognize that training the next generation of ophthalmologists is a powerful way to positively impact the field. Our many educational programs disseminate medical knowledge around the world and help elevate the quality of care delivered to patients. We are honored to be recognized for our excellence.”
The U.S. News & World Report rankings are based on data from nearly 5,000 medical centers and survey responses from more than 30,000 physicians. The 2023-2024 Best Hospital rankings are accessible here and in the U.S. News “Best Hospitals” 2023 guidebook.
About Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, part of University of Miami Hospital and Clinics, is ranked the nation’s best in ophthalmology by U.S. News & World Report, an honor it has received for the 22nd time. In addition to its international reputation as one of the premier providers of eye care in the world, Bascom Palmer is the largest ophthalmic care, research and educational facility in the southeastern United States. Each year, more than 290,000 patients with nearly every ophthalmic condition are treated, and more than 19,000 surgeries are performed. With five patient care facilities in Florida (Miami, Palm Beach Gardens, Naples, Plantation, and Coral Gables), the Institute serves as the Department of Ophthalmology for the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and is directed by Eduardo C. Alfonso, M.D. Bascom Palmer faculty members also staff the Miami and West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, Jackson Memorial Hospital, and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.
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