Odd Fellows and Rebekahs
Visual Research Foundation

Odd Fellows and Rebekahs in the United States and Canada are working to advance eye research through professorships in ophthalmology at the world famous Wilmer Ophthalmologic Institute at the John Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland.

At Johns Hopkins Hospital, the Chair of Visual Research, sponsored by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, conducts intensive study of corneal transplant and allergic and congenital diseases of the eye.

The Odd Fellows World Eye Bank and Visual Research Foundation was established in 1956 and has grown to become one of the major public service activities of the Order.  In 1961, the Foundation’s professorship in eye research was established through an endowment of $625,000.  Odd Fellows professor at the time was Dr. Arthur M. Silverstein, who was studying the problems of rejection of tissue transplants.  In April of 1983 the endowment was raised to $1,000,000.  Dr. Silverstein retired in 1989 with the title of Odd Fellow Professor Emeritus.  Currently Dr. W. Richard Green is the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Professor of Ophthalmology.  Dr. Green is among the foremost experts in ophthalmic pathology. 

Additionally, the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs maintain eye related programs in thirty-two jurisdictions through which members of the Order can donate their eyes after death for corneal transplants and research or donate funds specific to the Foundation.

The agreement with the Administration of John Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute has extended the original contract to the year 2007.

Because We Care!

We have the vision to maintain an Eye Research Program
for the betterment of Mankind.