Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation

On her 69th birthday, Carrie Estelle Doheny lost vision in one eye while kneeling to pray; soon after, she began to lose sight in her other eye due to glaucoma. Upon discovering the lack of an eye research facility in Southern California, Mrs. Doheny created what was to become the Doheny Eye Institute. Originally located at St. Vincent’s Hospital, the Institute moved to USC Health Sciences Campus in 1975.

Today the Institute combines vision research, education, and eye care. The Doheny Eye Institute has achieved recognition as one of the nation’s leading eye centers and as one of the major recipients of research grants from the National Eye Institute at the National Institute of Health. It has a prestigious ophthalmology residency program. Vision scientists and ophthalmologists at Doheny Eye Institute have made important contributions in the use of the excimer laser for refractive surgery for myopia (nearsightedness), laser for treatment of retinal diseases and glaucoma, vitreous surgery for severe injuries to the eye, treatment of optic nerve damage caused by nutritional deficiencies and by thyroid disease, and the treatment of severe intraocular inflammatory disease.

In a letter to the trustees of the Foundation, Mrs. Doheny asked that they continue to support the Eye Institute. Mr. Austin Gavin serves as a Director on both Boards. While the Foundation continues to participate in the capital campaigns of the Institute, the Directors are pleased that the surrounding community has recognized the work of the Institute and contributes a larger percentage of its funding every year.