A Retrospective of the University of Iowa Ophthalmology Department
2025 is the 100th anniversary of the University of Iowa Ophthalmology Department. In celebration of a century of Iowa ophthalmology we are taking a look back decade by decade. Find links to each decade of our history as 2025 goes on.
Before 1925 - 100 Years of Iowa Ophthalmology
Discover the events leading up to the the founding of the University of Iowa Ophthalmology Department and the remarkable journey of Dr. Cecil Starling O'Brien, from his early days in Indiana to becoming the first head of the ophthalmology department at the University of Iowa. Follow his path through military service, groundbreaking medical advancements, and his dedication to ophthalmology that shaped his legacy in Iowa City.
1925 to 1934 - 100 Years of Iowa Ophthalmology
Look back on a timeline of events that shaped the University of Iowa Ophthalmology Department. Read the story of Dr. C.S. O'Brien's founding of the University of Iowa's Ophthalmology Residency Program that quickly became one of the best training environments in the country. His rigorous approach, including daily lectures, strict routines, and hands-on surgical training, produced many renowned ophthalmologists.