Administration and Staff

The Board of Directors of City Trusts, non-salaried members appointed by the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia, governs Wills Eye. However, Wills is financially self-sustaining, and in no way relies on funds from the City of Philadelphia. Wills also has a full-time Executive Director.

Medical Staff

Approximately 200 ophthalmologists and about 88 non-ophthalmic consulting physicians (including specialists in Anesthesiology, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Radiology, etc.) comprise the Wills Eye Medical Staff.

The Cataract and Primary Eye Care Service (CPEC) examines new and returning patients who are diagnosed and treated, or referred to other services at Wills Eye.

Approximately 20,000 patients are seen yearly in CPEC. Another 13,000 patients are seen annually in the Emergency Room.

Since the 1960's, additional subspecialties have included Cornea, Glaucoma, Neuro-Ophthalmology, Oculoplastics, Oncology, Ophthalmic Pathology, Pediatric Ophthalmology, Retina and Vitrectomy. In addition there is a Low Vision and Contact Lens Department. Over 150,000 patients visit these services yearly.

Surgery

Approximately 6,000 surgeries are performed each year. Wills Eye has eight operating rooms available in this outpatient facility. The latest in videotaping and video conferencing is available throughout Wills, including our state-of-the-art auditorium which seats 200.

Special Facilities And Staff

Special diagnostic facilities are available in the Diagnostic Photography Department. The Department is equipped with the latest digital imaging equipment used for providing Fluorescein and Indocyanine Green Angiography including high speed digital angiography. The Visual Physiology Department performs both ultrasound and electrodiagnostic testing. Ultrasounds include A-scan, B-scan, anterior segment ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Electrophysiologic testing includes electroretinography, electro-oculography, visual evoked potential and color vision testing.

The Vascular Studies Laboratory offers a panel of the most advanced non-invasive tests to study the health of the large blood vessels in the neck that supply blood to the eyes and brain.

The Glaucoma Service Diagnostic Laboratory provides state-of-the-art perimetry and optic nerve photography and topography. The computerized data base of glaucoma patients is one of the nation's largest.

The Ophthalmic Pathology Department at Wills Eye processes one of the largest volumes of ophthalmic specimens in the world. Under the direction of Dr. Ralph Eagle, the specimens are examined grossly and microscopically by staff ophthalmologists who have specific fellowship training in ophthalmic pathology. Wills Eye residents, medical students and residents from area hospitals rotate through the Ophthalmic Pathology Department and actively assist in processing and reading slides. Wills Eye residents at all levels have the opportunity to utilize the pathology facilities to work up specific cases and to complete clinicopathologic research projects.

Wills Eye utilizes Jefferson's full service 24 hour a day lab. The laboratory performs routine and stat testing in the following departments: Chemistry, Hematology, Coagulation, Microbiology, Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, and Blood Gas Analysis.