USC, Doheny Eye Institute
Doheny Eye Institute is an independent nonprofit vision research organization affiliated with UCLA Stein Eye Institute, conducting retinal disease research and AI imaging studies while delivering clinical care through UCLA Health and training ophthalmologists.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1945
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What USC, Doheny Eye Institute does
Doheny Eye Institute is an independent, nonprofit vision research organization headquartered in Pasadena, California, founded in 1947 and affiliated with UCLA Stein Eye Institute for research and with UCLA Health for clinical service delivery. The institute's mission centers on the conservation, improvement, and restoration of human eyesight, with research programs spanning artificial intelligence in retinal imaging, gene therapy for retinal disease, vitreoretinal surgery, and mechanisms of diabetic eye disease and age-related macular degeneration. Core research infrastructure is organized around three wholly-owned operating centers: the Doheny Image Reading Center (DIRC) and DIRRL, which provide specialized retinal imaging reading and analysis for clinical trials, and the Retinal Imaging Research Laboratory (RIMR), which focuses on retinal imaging research. Notable published work includes mechanistic findings on the LOX enzyme's role in diabetic eye disease initiation, published in the journal Diabetes.
Doheny operates as a research, education, and clinical-affiliation organization rather than a product company. It does not sell commercial products or services; instead, revenue is generated through charitable donations, planned giving programs, competitive research grants (including R01 awards from the National Eye Institute), and clinical activity routed through the Doheny Eye Center UCLA affiliation, which operates multiple California locations including a newly opened Pasadena site in December 2025. The institute runs accredited continuing medical education (CME), an international fellowship program, the Doheny Professional Alumni Association (which has supported next-generation vision science leaders through research awards at ARVO for 25 years), and the International Retinal Imaging Society (INTReS). It also maintains a Distinguished Lecture Series and an active calendar of community and donor events.
Doheny serves multiple stakeholder groups: patients with vision impairment and eye disease (via Doheny Eye Center UCLA), vision science researchers and clinician-scientists, medical professionals seeking CME, and philanthropic donors and supporters. Leadership includes CEO Marissa Goldberg, Chief Scientific Officer Deborah A. Ferrington, PhD, and Chief Development Officer Alicia Cleaver (appointed April 2026). Headcount sits in the 251-500 range, with clinician-scientists actively publishing in high-impact journals and presenting at major conferences including AAO and ARVO.
USC, Doheny Eye Institute firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- USC, Doheny Eye Institute
- Legal name
- Doheny Eye Institute
- Website
- https://doheny.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1945
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Doheny Eye Institute is an independent nonprofit vision research organization affiliated with UCLA Stein Eye Institute, conducting retinal disease research and AI imaging studies while delivering clinical care through UCLA Health and training ophthalmologists.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
USC, Doheny Eye Institute industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Ophthalmology Research and Clinical Vision Care
- NAICS
- Diagnostic Imaging Centers (621512), Offices of Optometrists (62132)
- SIC
- Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Vision & Ophthalmic Diagnostic Centers (Optometry/OCT/Retinal Imaging) (HLAFAKAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Retina & Vitreous Specialists (HLAKAKAE), Ocular Imaging & Diagnostic Testing Centers (HLAKAKAN)
Keywords
Where USC, Doheny Eye Institute is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
USC, Doheny Eye Institute business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: The institute relies on donations from supporters to fund vision research programs. Donations can be one-time or recurring and are used to advance urgent priorities and support breakthroughs in research.
- Grants and Research Funding: Research funded through grants such as R01 grants from the National Eye Institute and other funding bodies supporting scientific discovery.
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
USC, Doheny Eye Institute product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Doheny Eye Institute is an independent, nonprofit vision research organization that conducts scientific research on blinding eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration, delivers accredited continuing medical education and international fellowship programs for clinicians, and operates patient care services through its affiliated Doheny Eye Center UCLA locations. Its research infrastructure includes specialized centers for retinal imaging (DIRC, DIRRL) and molecular medicine research (RIMR).
Product overview
Doheny Eye Institute is a nonprofit independent vision research organization affiliated with UCLA Stein Eye Institute, dedicated to conserving, improving, and restoring human eyesight. Founded nearly 80 years ago, the institute offers a portfolio of research programs, education services, and clinical affiliations. Its research infrastructure includes specialized centers for retinal imaging (DIRC, DIRRL) and molecular medicine (RIMR). The education arm provides accredited continuing medical education and international fellowship programs through its network. Patient care services are managed by UCLA Health through the Doheny Eye Center UCLA locations. The institute also hosts professional development through the Distinguished Lecture Series and International Retinal Imaging Society (INTReS).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Doheny Image Reading Center (DIRC): Center specializing in retinal image reading and analysis for clinical trials
- DIRRL
- RIMR
Products and services
- Vision Research Programs Investigator-initiated and grant-funded research programs targeting retinal diseases and vision loss, spanning AI imaging, gene therapy, vitreoretinal surgery, diabetic retinopathy, and AMD, delivered through specialized research centers (DIRC, DIRRL, RIMR) for the scientific community.
- Continuing Medical Education (CME) Accredited continuing medical education programs designed for clinicians to maintain certification and stay current with evolving science and technology in ophthalmology and vision science.
- International Fellowship Program International fellowship training program led by world-renowned scientists, supporting the next generation of vision science leaders through structured research awards and training opportunities.
- International Retinal Imaging Society (INTReS) Global professional organization focused on retinal imaging that facilitates international networking, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among vision researchers.
- Doheny Eye Center UCLA Clinical Services Patient care services managed by UCLA Health, providing clinical ophthalmology diagnosis and treatment for blinding eye diseases including diabetic retinopathy, AMD, cataracts, and glaucoma at multiple California locations.
- Distinguished Lecture Series Regular lecture series featuring prominent researchers in vision science, providing intellectual development and knowledge-sharing opportunities for the vision research community.
Quantifiable outcome
- Research published in high-impact journals including Diabetes and Aging Cell on mechanisms of diabetic eye disease and age-related changes in the retina
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use USC, Doheny Eye Institute
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
USC, Doheny Eye Institute technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
USC, Doheny Eye Institute partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.
- UCLA Stein Eye InstitutecoreDoheny Eye Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization affiliated with UCLA Stein Eye Institute. The two institutions collaborate on research, education, and clinical programs in vision science and ophthalmology.
- UCLA HealthcorePatient care services at Doheny Eye Center UCLA are managed by UCLA Health. The partnership provides clinical care delivery alongside Doheny's research mission.
- Envision ConsultingminorExecutive search firm that supported the hiring process for Alicia Cleaver as Chief Development Officer at Doheny Eye Institute.
- Northern TrustminorErik Hendrickson, ChFC of Northern Trust provided year-end tax planning insights at Doheny's Tax Planning Seminar & Breakfast event.
- Doheny Professional Alumni AssociationcoreThe Doheny Professional Alumni Association has supported the next generation of vision science leaders through research awards at ARVO for 25 years.
- American Academy of OphthalmologyflagshipDoheny Eye Institute participates in the AAO Annual Meeting where its clinician-scientists present research. In 2025, 10 affiliated clinicians presented on topics including AI, vitreoretinal surgery, and gene therapy.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
USC, Doheny Eye Institute competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Duke Eye Center: Duke Eye Center is Duke's ophthalmology clinical and research enterprise with strong retinal and surgical programs — comparable to Doheny in combining research, clinical care, and fellowship training at a major academic medical center.
- Wills Eye Hospital: Wills Eye is one of the oldest and largest U.S. specialty eye hospitals, combining clinical ophthalmology, vision research, and residency/fellowship training — closely paralleling Doheny's research-plus-clinical-affiliation model.
- Wilmer Eye Institute: Wilmer is Johns Hopkins' ophthalmology research and clinical institute, with deep retinal disease and gene therapy programs — a direct peer given Doheny's emphasis on retinal research, AI imaging, and translational ophthalmology.
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear: Mass Eye and Ear is Harvard's specialty hospital for ophthalmology and otolaryngology, integrating research, clinical care, and education — directly comparable to Doheny's research institute affiliated with a major academic medical center.
- Jules Stein Eye Institute (UCLA): UCLA's Jules Stein Eye Institute is Doheny's actual partner affiliate for research and clinical programs — directly comparable in mission, retinal disease focus, and patient care delivery via UCLA Health.
- Moran Eye Center: The University of Utah's Moran Eye Center is an academic ophthalmology research and clinical institute with significant retinal research and fellowship training — comparable to Doheny in scale and academic-affiliation model.
- Casey Eye Institute: OHSU's Casey Eye Institute combines vision research, clinical care, and education with strong retinal disease focus — closely comparable to Doheny in mission structure and therapeutic-area concentration.
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute: Bascom Palmer is the University of Miami's ophthalmology research and clinical care institute — the most direct peer to Doheny, with a similar model combining vision research, retinal specialization, clinical service, and fellowship training.
Broad incumbents
- Mayo Clinic Department of Ophthalmology: Mayo's ophthalmology department combines specialty clinical care with translational research within a major multi-specialty system — a broader incumbent comparable in clinical-research integration though embedded in a much larger institution.
- Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute: Cole Eye Institute is Cleveland Clinic's specialty eye hospital and research center — a broader incumbent with system-wide clinical scale that overlaps Doheny's clinical and research activities within a much larger healthcare delivery system.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
USC, Doheny Eye Institute social profiles
Digital presenceUSC, Doheny Eye Institute financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
USC, Doheny Eye Institute leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
USC, Doheny Eye Institute subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
USC, Doheny Eye Institute funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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USC, Doheny Eye Institute M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about USC, Doheny Eye Institute
What does USC, Doheny Eye Institute do?
Doheny Eye Institute is an independent, nonprofit vision research organization that conducts scientific research on blinding eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration, delivers accredited continuing medical education and international fellowship programs for clinicians, and operates patient care services through its affiliated Doheny Eye Center UCLA locations. Its research infrastructure includes specialized centers for retinal imaging (DIRC, DIRRL) and molecular medicine research (RIMR).
Is USC, Doheny Eye Institute a public or private company?
USC, Doheny Eye Institute is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was USC, Doheny Eye Institute founded?
USC, Doheny Eye Institute was founded in 1945. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is USC, Doheny Eye Institute based?
USC, Doheny Eye Institute is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does USC, Doheny Eye Institute make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are grants and Research Funding.
Who are USC, Doheny Eye Institute's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Duke Eye Center, Wills Eye Hospital, Wilmer Eye Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Jules Stein Eye Institute (UCLA), Moran Eye Center, Casey Eye Institute and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Broad incumbents are Mayo Clinic Department of Ophthalmology and Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute.
Does USC, Doheny Eye Institute have an API?
No public API is recorded for USC, Doheny Eye Institute.
What industry is USC, Doheny Eye Institute in?
USC, Doheny Eye Institute's product category is Ophthalmology Research and Clinical Vision Care. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAFAKAI, Vision & Ophthalmic Diagnostic Centers (Optometry/OCT/Retinal Imaging), with a secondary code of HLAKAKAE, Retina & Vitreous Specialists. Its NAICS code is 621512 and its SIC code is 8071.