April 16 Designated as “Founders Day,” Honoring the Opening of the Optometric Center of New York and the Foundation’s Lasting Legacy
New York, NY — For 70 years, the SUNY College of Optometry Foundation has played a leading role in shaping the field of optometry — advancing vision science, expanding access to care and helping train generations of eye care professionals — a legacy that continues to influence patient care and innovation nationwide.
Founded in 1956 as the Optometric Center of New York and chartered by the New York State Board of Regents, the Foundation was established to “act as a center of professional and scientific knowledge in optometry” and to “uphold, advance and improve optometric education.” At a time when formal optometric education in New York faced uncertainty following the closure of Columbia University’s program, the Foundation opened its doors on April 16, 1956. Since then, it has played a pivotal role in advocating for and ultimately helping establish the SUNY College of Optometry in 1971 — a legacy that continues to shape the profession today.
The Foundation has remained integral to the College’s mission, raising nearly $1 million annually to support scholarships, research, community-based patient care and investments in cutting-edge technology. Today, it provides critical funding that helps deliver eye care to thousands of New Yorkers each year, including approximately 1,500 patients annually through charitable care programs, while also supporting the next generation of optometrists through scholarships and training opportunities.
“The SUNY College of Optometry Foundation has been instrumental in shaping who we are as an institution,” said Dr. David Troilo, President of SUNY College of Optometry. “From helping to establish the College more than 50 years ago to continuing to expand access to care and support innovation today, the Foundation’s impact can be seen in every aspect of our work — from the patients we serve to the students we train and the research we advance.”
Most notably, the Foundation’s impact is seen in its longstanding commitment to expanding access to eye care — a core part of its founding mission. Over the past decade, the Foundation has invested nearly $2 million in charitable care, helping an estimated 70,000 underserved patients receive high-quality vision services. Through partnerships with community organizations including The Bowery Mission, Care for the Homeless, and Syracuse Community Health, as well as programs supported by the University Eye Center, the Foundation continues to deliver essential care to those who need it most, reinforcing its legacy of service and community impact.
A cornerstone of that impact is the Foundation’s longstanding investment in vision science. In 1983, the Foundation supported the establishment of what is now the Schnurmacher Institute for Vision Research, made possible by a transformational gift from Adolph and Ruth Schnurmacher. For decades, the Institute has driven advances in understanding vision disorders and improving treatments, contributing to progress in areas such as glaucoma, retinal disease and myopia — conditions that affect millions of people worldwide.
The Foundation has also supported the development of one of the nation’s most significant optometric research and education resources, including a leading optometric library that preserves decades of scientific knowledge and scholarship in vision care. Together with its investments in continuing education programs, these efforts ensure that practitioners across New York State remain at the forefront of evolving clinical practices.
“For nearly 70 years, the Foundation has worked to turn vision into action — supporting patients, students and researchers in ways that have a lasting impact on communities,” said Dr. Richard Soden, President of the SUNY College of Optometry Foundation. “As we look to the future, we are focused on building on that legacy by expanding our reach, strengthening partnerships and ensuring that even more people have access to the care and opportunities they need.”
Today, the Foundation manages more than $14 million in assets and continues to grow its network of supporters, partners and trustees committed to advancing vision health. It supports more than 100 students each year through scholarships, funds critical vision research initiatives and helps sustain programs that impact thousands of patients across New York City and beyond.
As it marks this milestone anniversary, the SUNY College of Optometry Foundation is looking ahead to the next chapter of its work — one focused on expanding access, accelerating research breakthroughs and supporting the education of future eye care leaders.
About SUNY College of Optometry Foundation Founded in 1956, the SUNY College of Optometry Foundation is the affiliated nonprofit organization supporting the mission of SUNY College of Optometry. The Foundation secures resources to advance education, research and patient care, helping to expand access to vision services and support innovation in eye health.
About SUNY College of Optometry Founded in 1971 and located in New York City, the State University of New York College of Optometry is a leader in education, research and patient care, offering the Doctor of Optometry degree as well as MS and PhD degrees in vision science. The College conducts a robust program of basic, translational and clinical research and has more than 65 affiliated clinical training sites as well as an on-site clinic, the University Eye Center.
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