History

Original Clinic Site 1919-1932

1920: Pennsylvania State College of Optometry, one-room clinic (left) 1924-29; Brandywine Clinic with 14 exam rooms (right)

"Old Main" Campus

In 1932, the College purchased the site at 13th and Spencer streets.

Satellite Clinic

In 1966, the College opened a second optometric clinic at 5604 N. Broad Street.

1975-77

The beginning...

Grand Opening 1978

1970 - 1980

The Eye Institute during the 1970s and 1980s.

1978 Interior

The Eye Institute’s Interior Circa 1970s....unrecognizable!

New Exterior

In the early 1990s, TEI’s green exterior was painted white.

Celebrating 20 Years!

1990 - 2010

The red exterior & design was added in the 1990s to emphasize The Eye Institute’s name. In the past 10 years, TEI also added two satellite locations.

The "New" Eye Institute

The “New” Eye Institute’s renovation groundbreaking was held on April 29, 2010 & officially opened in May 2011.

The "New" Eye Institute

Highlights of this project were a central registration area, expanded eyewear center and renovations on the second floor.

History

In 1927, the then Pennsylvania State College of Optometry’s eye care service was considered the largest eye clinic in the country with increasing demands for service.
By 1930, the clinics took care of 7,000 people with over 21,000 patient visits.
In 1933, the buildings at both locations - on the 1800 block of Spring Garden Street and 1810 Brandywine Street - were remodeled and dedicated entirely as the College’s primary eye care clinics.
As of 1936, 18,000 people were cared for annually with 1,500-2,000 glasses dispensed free of charge.
In 1949, the College opened a contact lens clinic – the first in any college or school of optometry.
In 1964, the Pennsylvania State College of Optometry became the Pennsylvania College of Optometry.
Construction on The Eye Institute, 12th Street and Godfrey Avenue, began in 1975. The 50,000+ square foot facility soon became a regional resource offering a personalized continuity of care for patients.
The site was called “one of the most unique eye care facilities in the country.”
The Eye Institute replaced the College’s satellite branches in the northern and central sections of Philadelphia.
In the early 2000s, The Eye Institute added two satellite locations to better serve its surrounding community.
After a multi-million dollar renovation, The "New" Eye Institute opened in May 2011 with a state-of-the-art design for high quality patient care that also respects patient confidentiality. Renovations of the second floor, which houses administrative and faculty offices, a classroom, two conference rooms, and a small café were completed in late 2011.
In 2013, The Eye Institute of Salus University celebrated its 35th birthday from its “grand opening” in 1978.
In 2017, The Eye Institute collaborated with Ampersand Health and CityLife Neighborhood Clinics to open an embedded primary care suite within The Eye Institute. (now Oak Street Health)
In 2018, The Eye Institute celebrated 40 years of service to the Oak Lane community.