museumoftheeye

GRAND OPENING! Our special exhibition, “Trachoma: Bacteria, Immigration, and Public Health” is now open through May 2027. This year’s exhibition examines the surprisingly fascinating history of the bacterial infection trachoma, from early outbreaks during the Napoleonic Wars to a cure with the discovery of antibiotics. Check out ow.ly/JLGq50Z0y4Y for more information. #museumoftheeye @aaoeye

Behind every ophthalmologist is a story... sometimes, it’s a whole family tree. The Museum of the Eye’s newly re-envisioned Ophthalmic Family Tree brings those stories together, honoring generations of physicians and the legacies they’ve built. Discover the connections and share your own: aao.org/museum/family-… @aaoeye

We are celebrating the final weeks of West Meets East: Eye Medicine in the Asia-Pacific before it closes by sharing some fascinating facts about ophthalmology in Asia. #DidYouKnow that the world’s oldest evidence of a hospital is located in Asia? Mihintale, an archaeological site in Sri Lanka, hosts the ruins of a hospital complex dating back to the 9th century. It is likely that this site would have combined Buddhist teachings, local knowledge, and Ayurvedic medical practices to treat patients. Plan your visit to see West Meets East before it closes on May 17 at aao.org/visit-museum. #museumoftheeye

New exhibit coming soon! Our 2026-2027 special exhibition, “Trachoma: Bacteria, Immigration and Public Health,” will open on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. This exhibit traces the fascinating history of trachoma, a bacterial infection of the eye and eyelids. The exhibit begins with Trachoma’s earliest outbreaks during the Napoleonic Wars, moves into the eye inspections at Ellis Island and Angel Island Immigration Stations, and finishes with the discovery of an antibiotic cure through worldwide public health efforts. Featuring rare books, historical surgical tools, and more, “Trachoma: Bacteria, Immigration, and Public Health” highlights the story of a bacteria that is now rarely seen in the U.S. but continues to affect public health efforts worldwide. Learn more about this exhibition at ow.ly/GxGs50YzZ5C. #museumoftheeeye #trachoma

It’s #NationalVolunteerWeek! Do you love museums, or want to learn more about history, medicine, and science? Volunteer with us at the Museum of the Eye. No previous volunteer experience necessary. We are looking for individuals ages 15 and up to volunteer during regular museum hours and for special events and programs. Learn more about our volunteer opportunities and apply today at ow.ly/etO650YzZ2S. #museumoftheeye

Last call for “West Meets East: Eye Medicine in the Asia-Pacific!” Our 2025-2026 special exhibit will close one month from today, on May 17. Visit the museum soon to see this special collection of eyeglasses, books, and medical instruments from the vast history of Eastern ophthalmology. Plan your visit today: ow.ly/7I0K50YzYZ8. #museumoftheeye #asiapacific

Explore the science of sight at home. Our downloadable online activities include coloring book pages, do-it-yourself experiments, ophthalmic word searches and more. Browse these and more resources for educators and at-home learners at ow.ly/BLjE50YzXV7. #museumoftheeye

It’s World Aquatic Animal Day! #DidYouKnow that the mantis shrimp has at least 12 types of cone cells, while humans only have three? This means that the mantis shrimp can probably perceive more colors than any other animal on earth. Learn more about more animal eyes, both aquatic and terrestrial, in our online “Animal Eyes” exhibit: aao.org/museum/exhibit…. #museumoftheeye #worldaquaticanimalday

At the Museum of the Eye, we preserve the history of ophthalmology—from early surgical tools to the breakthroughs that shape how vision is restored and protected today. But preserving this history and making it accessible to the public takes ongoing support. Your donations help us: -Preserve rare instruments, paper archives, medical artifacts, and more -Expand educational programing and events for students, physicians, and the public -Curate engaging exhibitions that bring the history of eye medicine to life -Share the story of ophthalmology with audiences of all ages and backgrounds When you give, you’re not just supporting a museum—you’re helping protect the legacy of the people and innovations that have transformed sight for millions. Join us in keeping this history visible for generations to come. Support the Museum of the Eye at ow.ly/49xq50YwW3U.

Johann Sebastian Bach was born #onthisday in 1685. Learn how Bach and another well-known composer each experienced an unfortunate encounter with medical quackery at the end of their lives on the Eye Witness Blog: ow.ly/aUGP50YwVXy. For more deep dives and behind-the-scenes museum stories, explore the Eye Witness Blog at ow.ly/QQAI50YwVXB. #museumoftheeye

#didyouknow that blue glass Evil Eye pendants and the eye on the back of the one-dollar bill come from the same root? They are both historical symbols of protection. Learn more about eye symbols throughout time and across cultures in our online exhibit “Decoding the Eye: Signs & Symbols” at ow.ly/uN9N50YcXxQ. #museumoftheeye

UPCOMING EVENT - April Fools: After Hours is back by popular demand! We’ll be taking our collection of 19th century medical quackery out of the vault for a special after hours event on Saturday, April 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you missed our exhibit “Hoodwinked: 19th Century Quack Medicine” last year, now is your chance to see these quack electronic devices, patent medicines, and more. Purchase tickets: ow.ly/IZ1r50Yn53W. Tickets include after-hours access to our quackery collection, a beer and wine bar, and a poster giveaway. This event is 21+. All proceeds support exhibits and programming at the Museum of the Eye. #museumoftheeye #aprilfools @aaoeye @fishermanswharf

#FunFact: Macao was home to one of the first Western hospitals in China – and it was specifically ophthalmic. Macao, a Special Administrative Region (SAR) in China, is featured in our West Meets East: Eye Medicine in the Asia-Pacific exhibit. Take a deep dive into Macao’s fascinating history in a new edition of the Eye Witness blog at ow.ly/ypCa50Y78Gf. West Meets East is on display until May 2026. Images: (1) Pencil & ink drawing of Colledge Ophthalmic Infirmary in Macao, c1850. (2) Grand Lisboa Casino & Hotel in Macao, current day.

Did you know you can search the museum’s collection of over 38,000 objects online? See more than 4,000 vision aids like glasses and contact lenses and over 2,000 books through our online collections search at ow.ly/IbAL50Y78FY. #museumoftheeye #didyouknow Image: Contact lens set, c1990.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Love is all around — you just have to open your eyes. Experience love at first sight with our special Valentine’s Day Spotify playlist, “The Look of Love.” Spin through our collection of ocular odes and ballads, ranging from blues to K-Pop. Which one is your favorite? Listen along at ow.ly/TNYT50Y78EG. #museumoftheeye #valentinesday

It’s Super Bowl Sunday! During our “Sports & Vision” tours, visitors often guess that football is a leading cause of eye injuries in sports. Though professional football players do injure their eyes occasionally, the true culprit for the leading cause of sports-related eye injuries might surprise you. Learn which sport and more about how vision affects athletics in our “Sports & Vision” online exhibit at ow.ly/KSgV50Y6QRC. Want to take the “Sports & Vision” tour in person? Request a free special group tour at ow.ly/eRRr50Y6QRF. Image: Football game, c1920-1930. #museumoftheeye #superbowllx

Craft & Learn: Lover’s Eyes is back for Valentine’s Day! Join us on either February 7 or February 14 to learn about the 18th century fad of Lover’s Eyes – the sometimes-secretive miniature portraits of just a loved one’s eye and eyebrow. Then, draw and decorate your own Lover’s Eye and have it made into a button or magnet to take home. This year, we’ve added new templates and a keychain option! This event is free but requires an RSVP at loverseyes2026.eventbrite.com. Recommended for ages 8 and up. #museumoftheeye #valentinesday @aaoeye @fishermanswharf

Have you ever wondered who the two names on the museum are? The Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of the Eye is named for two notable ophthalmologists and museum donors: Stanley Truhlsen, MD and Michael Marmor, MD. So, who is Dr. Marmor? Dr. Marmor is an ophthalmologist and professor emeritus of ophthalmology at @Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. He is particularly interested in the relationship between human vision and art and is the author of several books on the topic including The Eye of the Artist and The Artist’s Eyes: Vision and the History of Art, both with James Ravin, MD. Hear Dr. Marmor’s story in the video above. Check out last week’s post to learn about Dr. Truhlsen. We are proud to carry the names of these two transformational physicians and supporters! Discover ongoing opportunities to support the museum at aao.org/foundation/mus…. #museumoftheeye @aaoeye

Have you ever wondered who the two names on the museum are? The Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of the Eye is named for two notable ophthalmologists and museum donors: Stanley Truhlsen, MD, and Michael Marmor, MD. So, who was Dr. Truhlsen? Dr. Truhlsen (1920-2021) was an ophthalmologist and philanthropist from Omaha, Nebraska. Dr. Truhlsen was a former president of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He was also a long-time faculty member of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where the Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute is named in his honor. He passed away in 2021 at the age of 101. Hear Dr. Truhlsen’s story in the video above. Discover ongoing opportunities to support the museum at aao.org/foundation/mus…. Check back next week to learn about the other founding donor, Dr. Marmor. #museumoftheeye @aaoeye

Happy New Year’s Eve! Celebrate with bubbles, not eye troubles by keeping these 3 simple tips in mind. Learn more at aao.org/eye-health/tip… The museum is closing early today at 3 p.m. and will be closed January 1 – 13 for a holiday break. Visit aao.org/visit-museum for hours and closures. See you in the new year! #museumoftheeye #nye #newyears @aao_ophth