Best ophthalmic hospitals for 2015

U.S. News World & Reporthas released its annual best ophthalmic hospitals for 2015.

Taking a look at the news site’s list of the top programs from last year, it is clear several top-ranking hospitals have lost some steam, while several-like the Cleveland Clinic-have stepped it up a notch. 

The following 10 hospitals were coined the best for difficult cases and procedures by at least 5% of ophthalmology respondents to U.S. News’ surveys in 2013, 2014, and 2015.

(Photo credit:  ©Anna Jurkovska/Shutterstock.com)

10. W. K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan

Ophthalmology scorecard: 8.3/100

University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers in Ann Arbor, MI, ranked nationally in 11 adult and 10 pediatric specialties. It was also high performing in 4 adult specialties.

(Photo credit: W.K. Kellogg Eye Center)

9. USC Eye Institute-Keck Medical Center of USC

Ophthalmology scorecard: 9.1/100

Keck Medical Center of USC in Los Angeles, CA, ranked nationally in 4 adult specialties. It was also high performing in 2 adult specialties.

“It is an honor to be included among the top 10 ophthalmology hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for 2015-2016,” said Rohit Varma, MD, MPH, director of the USC Eye Institute. “The USC Eye Institute has had the privilege of receiving this honor for 21 years.

“We are truly grateful to our colleagues whose votes placed us in the Top 10,” Dr. Varma continued. “We will continue to work hard to earn the confidence and trust of our patients and colleagues.”

(Photo courtesy of Van Urfalian/Keck Medicine of USC)

8. Duke University Hospital

Ophthalmology scorecard: 12.2/100

Duke University Hospital in Durham, NC, ranked nationally in 12 adult and 8 pediatric specialties. It was also high performing in 1 adult specialty. 

Sharon Fekrat, MD, an associate professor of ophthalmology at Duke University School of Medicine, could not hold back her excited over her program’s ranking.

“The department of ophthalmology in the Duke University Medical School offers a world class ophthalmology residency, as well as fellowships in all ophthalmic subspecialties which compliments the Duke Eye Center and its Albert Eye Research Institute, and its newly opened Hudson clinical Building of the Duke University Health System,” said Dr. Fekrat, who is also an Ophthalmology Times editorial advisory board member. “Its programs attract physicians, trainees, and patients from all over the world.

“The Durham VA Medical Center affiliate offers top notch care to Veterans with eye disease and offers a technically diverse Microsurgical Advanced Technique Lab (MATLAB) for training,” she added. “It is an honor to be part of the Duke Eye Center family.”

(Photo courtesy of Duke University Hospital)

7. University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Ophthalmology scorecard: 12.4/100

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, IA, ranked nationally in 7 adult and 9 pediatric specialties. It was also high performing in 5 adult specialties. 

(Photo courtesy of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics)

6. Cleveland Clinic

Ophthalmology scorecard: 13.5/100

Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH, ranked nationally in 14 adult and 10 pediatric specialties. It was also high performing in 2 adult specialties.

(Photo credit: Cleveland Clinic Eye Institute)

5. Stein and Doheny Eye Institute, UCLA Medical Center

Ophthalmology scorecard: 27.6/100

UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA, ranked nationally in 15 adult and 9 pediatric specialties. 

Anne Coleman, MD, PhD, professor of ophthalmology at Jules Stein Eye Institute, was thrilled to see the program’s achievement.

“It is an honor for UCLA’s department of ophthalmology to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report,” said Dr. Coleman, who is also an Ophthalmology Times editorial advisory board member. “The historic affiliation of the Stein Eye Institute and the Doheny Eye Institute at UCLA is like none other, and we will always remain devoted to  delivering the very best research, training, and patient care.”

(Photo courtesy of Stein and Doheny Institutes, UCLA Medical Center)

4. Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Massachusetts General Hospital

Ophthalmology scorecard: 32.5/100

Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA, ranked nationally in 16 adult and 3 pediatric specialties.

(Photo courtesy of Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Massachusetts General Hospital)

3. Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital

Ophthalmology scorecard: 56.3/100

Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD, is ranked nationally in 15 adult and 10 pediatric specialties. 

(Photo credit: Johns Hopkins Medicine)

2. Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

Ophthalmology scorecard: 58.5/100

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, ranked nationally in 7 adult specialties. It was also high performing in 6 adult specialties.

“On behalf of everyone who keeps Wills Eye Hospital the global leader, we are honored and humbled to be named one of the top two eye hospitals in America for yet another year,” Julia A. Haller, MD, ophthalmologist-in-chief, Wills Eye Hospital, said in a prepared statement.

(Photo courtesy of Wills Eye Hospital)

1. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute-Anne Bates Leach Eye Hospital

Ophthalmology scorecard: 66.7/100

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute-Anne Bates Leach Eye Hospital in Miami, FL, ranked nationally in 1 adult specialty.

At Bascom Palmer, the well-being of our patients inspires us to excel in eye care, vision research, education and clinical innovation,” Eduardo C. Alfonso, MD, professor and chairman of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, said in a prepared statement. “Receiving the No. 1 ranking for 12 consecutive years recognizes the exceptional expertise of Bascom Palmer’s team.

“Together, Bascom Palmer’s world-class ophthalmologists, vision researchers, nurses, ophthalmic technicians, and support staff have one goal-to provide the ultimate in compassion and medical care to patients,” he added.

(Photo courtesy of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute-Anne Bates Leach Eye Hospital)

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