35 Years and Counting…

Patterned after a teaching hospital, The Eye Institute (TEI) of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry officially opened 35 years ago with its first patient in the beginning of 1978. It quickly became a learning resource for optometry and a unique interdisciplinary health care facility providing primary eye care and related specialty health services to thousands of individuals annually. Back then, the $5 million clinical education and patient care facility combined elements of brick, glass and metal panel and replaced three off-site clinics within Philadelphia. Construction of the 66,000 square-foot eye care facility began in 1976 and was completed in late 1977. In April 1978, TEI celebrated its formal introduction to the public. The opening ceremonies, which involved all sectors of the community, represented the culmination of more than four years of planning and work. A cocktail reception and guided tours were given with details of the architectural features of the building.

Today, 35 years later and after a complete renovation of the original structure, The Eye Institute continues to employ a multidisciplinary approach – with optometrists, ophthalmologists, opticians, optometric technicians, optometric interns (trainees) and other health care professionals working together to provide total vision care for nearly 50,000 patient visits annually.

Celebrate this anniversary by checking TEI’s Facebook page with “Wayback Wednesday” posts each week.  

“The Big Top” Children’s Vision Care Fundraiser

The sixth annual “Looking Out for Kids” charity fundraiser was another great success this past November. The annual charity event raises money to provide vision care and eyeglasses to uninsured and under-insured children in Philadelphia and its surrounding communities. This year, the event’s theme included transforming the Hafter Student Center on the Elkins Park campus of Salus University into a circus tent.  Under “The Big Top,” the supporting cast was a juggler and stilt walker who entertained guests, while children and adults played games and won prizes.  “The event was festive and very enjoyable,” Barnett Satinsky, a partner at Fox Rothschild, LLP, said.

Michael Vick, quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, enjoyed being the celebrity co-host for the evening.  He graciously posed with guests, signed autographs, and talked about the importance of vision care. To read the complete story and see photos from the event

The Eye Institute at Chestnut Hill

The Eye Institute (TEI) has relocated its Mt. Airy practice to 7630 Germantown Avenue in the Chestnut Hill Plaza.  TEI doctors and staff are excited to be the community’s neighborhood eye care provider. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to offer our quality vision and eye health services to the Chestnut Hill community,” Dr. Susan Oleszewski, The Eye Institute’s Vice President for Patient Care Services, said.

The newly renovated Chestnut Hill space will provide the opportunity for The Eye Institute to expand its services to the community. In addition to enhanced clinical space, the optical has a robust display of the latest in fashion eye wear.  The Eye Institute is the clinical practice of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University. Its’ mission is to train and educate future eye doctors. These expert doctors look forward to providing educational presentations on vision and eye health topics to the community. To make an appointment, call 215.276.6111 or complete the online form.

The Eye Institute Moves Into Chestnut Hill

• Chestnut Hill Local article: Eye Institute branch moving from Mt. Airy to the Hill
• NewsWorks article: Mt. Airy Eye Institute to Move to Chestnut Hill

Changing a Life with a Contact Lens

Dr. Joel Silbert, Director of The Eye Institute’s Cornea and Contact Lens Service, had the gratifying experience of providing a specialty contact lens fitting for a young patient. Mamakaisa Moiyallah, an 18-year-old young woman, suffered trauma to her cornea while living in Nigeria. The cornea is the anterior most part of the eye. The cornea must be transparent to serve its function in helping to focus light that enters the eye. Mamakaisa’s right cornea was badly scarred following her injury - she is blind in that eye and experiences light sensitivity, pain and tearing.

Dr. Silbert designed a custom painted cosmetic lens to match the color and appearance of her left eye. Additionally, the contact lens was designed to block light entering the eye, thereby lessening her light sensitivity. The fabrication of the specialty lens took five weeks. Mamakaisa was taught how to handle the lens and quickly became comfortable wearing it. According to Dr. Silbert, she was all smiles at her two week follow up. Dr. Silbert’s services and the cost of the specialty contact lens were provided through the “Looking Out for Kids” charity fund.