Wills Eye Hospital facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wills Eye Hospital |
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Wills Eye Hospital outpatient entrance
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| Geography | |
| Location | 840 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Organization | |
| Hospital type | Specialist |
| Affiliated university | Thomas Jefferson University |
| Services | |
| Speciality | Ophthalmology |
| History | |
| Founded | 1832 |
Wills Eye Hospital is a special hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that focuses only on eye care. It started in 1832 and is the oldest eye hospital in the United States that has been open non-stop. It is also where doctors who want to become eye specialists get their advanced training through Thomas Jefferson University.
Since 1990, Wills Eye Hospital has been known as one of the top three eye hospitals in the U.S. Its training program for eye doctors is also considered one of the best in the world.
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History of Wills Eye Hospital
Wills Eye Hospital was started thanks to a generous gift from James Wills Jr. He was a Quaker merchant who gave $116,000 in 1832 to the City of Philadelphia. Mr. Wills wanted the money to help people who were poor, blind, or had trouble walking.
Over time, the hospital became focused only on eye care. The very first Wills Hospital opened in 1834. It was located on Logan Square at 18th & Race Streets.
Early eye doctors at Wills Eye included Isaac Parrish, M.D., and Isaac Hays, M.D. Other important doctors were George Fox, M.D., and Squier Littell, M.D. In 1837, Dr. Littell wrote a book called "A Manual of Diseases of the Eye."
Historic Wills Eye Building
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Wills Eye Hospital
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Wills Hospital location from 1932-1980 (building located at 1601 Spring Garden Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
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 Location in Philadelphia
Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Area | 0.8 acres (0.32 ha) |
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| Built | 1931-1932 |
| Architect | John T. Windrim |
| Architectural style | Federal Tuscan |
| NRHP reference No. | 84003582 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | July 12, 1984 |
The building known as the Centennial Building of Wills Eye Hospital was designed by architect John T. Windrim. It was built between 1931 and 1932. This building is six stories tall and made of brick.
The front of the building has a special entrance with eight large columns. Today, this historic building is no longer a hospital. It has been turned into apartments where people live. In 1984, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site.
Medical Discoveries at Wills Eye
Wills Eye Hospital has helped create many new ways to treat eye problems. Here are some important achievements:
- Artificial Intraocular Lens Implant (1952): Doctors Warren Reese and Turgut Hamdi developed the first artificial lens to replace a damaged one inside the eye.
- Invention of a Vitrectomy Machine (1972): Jay Federman, M.D., invented a machine that helps remove gel from inside the eye. This is important for many eye surgeries.
- Artificial Retinal Implant (2009): Julia Haller, M.D., Allen Ho, M.D., and Carl Regillo, M.D., helped create an artificial retina. This can help people with certain types of blindness.
Famous People from Wills Eye
Many important eye doctors have worked or trained at Wills Eye Hospital.
- Charles D. Kelman, M.D. (trained at Wills Eye from 1956–1960) is known as the "father of phacoemulsification." This is a modern way to remove cataracts. He also invented the cryoprobe, a tool that uses extreme cold for surgery.
- Jerry A. Shields
- Carol Shields
- George Spaeth
- William Tasman
- Santosh G. Honavar
Hospital Leadership
- Joseph Bilson is the Executive Director of Wills Eye (since 2007).
- Julia A. Haller, M.D., is the Ophthalmologist-in-Chief (since 2007). She is the main eye doctor in charge.
