UCI's Eye Institute Taking Shape
Monday, August 1 2005
The University of California, Irvine, has ambitious plans for its fledgling eye institute.
UC Irvine is under way with a $50 million fund-raising campaign to build the UCI Eye Institute and initially equip two of its four floors.
Faculty at the institute would treat patients, teach students and do research in collaboration with device and drug companies.
The institute is sure to have a big internal backer in Michael Drake, who took over as UCFs chancellor in July. Drake is an ophthalmologist who headed the University of California's medical schools and hospitals before joining UCI.
IMAGE PHOTOGRAPH 1Rendering of UCI Eye Institute: $50 million fund-raising campaign under way
The university plans to draw on Orange County's thriving crop of businesses that develop devices or drugs to treat eyes, such as Santa Ana's Advanced Medical Optics Inc., Lake Forest-based Cooper Cos. and Allergan Inc., IntraLase Corp., Ista Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Refractec Inc., all of Irvine.