An ophthalmic history exhibit created by the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Museum of Vision
will be featured on the Museum’s website throughout the month of
November in recognition of Veterans Day. The online exhibit, titled “Eyes of War,”
explores the sacrifices and contributions of ophthalmologists as well
as ophthalmic innovations made during World War II. Originally created
in honor of the 60th Anniversary of VE Day, the online version of the
exhibit includes ophthalmology’s responses to World War II, wartime
discoveries and the stories of ophthalmologist soldiers, freedom fighters and prisoners whose lives were changed forever by the experience of war. Read more.
On Sept. 23, the Museum of Vision, a public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, will participate in Smithsonian Magazine's
seventh annual Museum Day. The Museum of Vision, the only institution in the United
States whose sole purpose is to preserve the history of ophthalmology
and celebrate its unique contributions to science and health, will join participating
museums and cultural institutions nationwide, including six San
Francisco museums, in opening their doors free of charge to all visitors
who download the Museum Day ticket from the Smithsonian Museum Day web
site: www.smithsonian.com/museumday. The museum has one of the world's leading collections of
ophthalmic history, containing approximately 38,000 items including
artifacts, archives and rare books. It current showcases the exhibit Collecting Ophthalmology: 30 years at the Museum in its San Francisco gallery. This exhibit highlights the wide array of artifacts dating from the 17th
century to the present day, such as the rare book
library, instrument collection, and eyeglasses. A preview can be found
online at the museum's website.
