Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of Eye

Name: Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of Eye
Address: 645 Beach Street, San Francisco, CA, 94109, US
Telephone: (415) 447-0208

Home
United States
San Francisco, CA
Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of Eye

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of Eye, Museum, 645 Beach Street, San Francisco, CA.

Discover surprising facts about how your vision works at the American Academy of Ophthalmology Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of the Eye®, the world’s only free, public museum dedicated to the fascinating science of sight.

05/01/2026

We are celebrating the final weeks of West Meets East: Eye Medicine in the Asia-Pacific before it closes by sharing some fascinating facts about ophthalmology in Asia.

that the world’s oldest evidence of a hospital is located in Asia? Mihintale, an archaeological site in Sri Lanka, hosts the ruins of a hospital complex dating back to the 9th century. It is likely that this site would have combined Buddhist teachings, local knowledge, and Ayurvedic medical practices to treat patients.

Plan your visit to see West Meets East before it closes on May 17 at aao.org/visit-museum.

04/24/2026

New exhibit coming soon! Our 2026-2027 special exhibition, “Trachoma: Bacteria, Immigration and Public Health,” will open on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

This exhibit traces the fascinating history of trachoma, a bacterial infection of the eye and eyelids. The exhibit begins with Trachoma’s earliest outbreaks during the Napoleonic Wars, moves into the eye inspections at Ellis Island and Angel Island Immigration Stations, and finishes with the discovery of an antibiotic cure through worldwide public health efforts. Featuring rare books, historical surgical tools, and more, “Trachoma: Bacteria, Immigration, and Public Health” highlights the story of a bacteria that is now rarely seen in the U.S. but continues to affect public health efforts worldwide.

Learn more about this exhibition at https://ow.ly/2ZGr50YzZ5E.

04/19/2026

It’s ! Do you love museums, or want to learn more about history, medicine, and science? Volunteer with us at the Museum of the Eye. No previous volunteer experience necessary.

We are looking for individuals ages 15 and up to volunteer during regular museum hours and for special events and programs. Learn more about our volunteer opportunities and apply today at https://ow.ly/BwnB50YzZ2T.

04/17/2026

Last call for “West Meets East: Eye Medicine in the Asia-Pacific!” Our 2025-2026 special exhibit will close one month from today, on May 17. Visit the museum soon to see this special collection of eyeglasses, books, and medical instruments from the vast history of Eastern ophthalmology.

Plan your visit today: https://ow.ly/8buN50YzYZ7.

04/10/2026

Explore the science of sight at home. Our downloadable online activities include coloring book pages, do-it-yourself experiments, ophthalmic word searches and more.

Browse these and more resources for educators and at-home learners at https://ow.ly/iabf50YzXV6.

04/03/2026

It’s World Aquatic Animal Day! that the mantis shrimp has at least 12 types of cone cells, while humans only have three? This means that the mantis shrimp can probably perceive more colors than any other animal on earth.

Learn more about more animal eyes, both aquatic and terrestrial, in our online “Animal Eyes” exhibit: https://www.aao.org/museum/exhibition-detail/animal-eyes-exhibit.

03/27/2026

At the Museum of the Eye, we preserve the history of ophthalmology—from early surgical tools to the breakthroughs that shape how vision is restored and protected today. But preserving this history and making it accessible to the public takes ongoing support.

Your donations help us:
-Preserve rare instruments, paper archives, medical artifacts, and more
-Expand educational programing and events for students, physicians, and the public
-Curate engaging exhibitions that bring the history of eye medicine to life
-Share the story of ophthalmology with audiences of all ages and backgrounds

When you give, you’re not just supporting a museum—you’re helping protect the legacy of the people and innovations that have transformed sight for millions.

Join us in keeping this history visible for generations to come. Support the Museum of the Eye at https://ow.ly/pmkB50YwW3T.

03/21/2026

Johann Sebastian Bach was born in 1685. Learn how Bach and another well-known composer each experienced an unfortunate encounter with medical quackery at the end of their lives on the Eye Witness Blog: https://ow.ly/EeFA50YwVXC.

For more deep dives and behind-the-scenes museum stories, explore the Eye Witness Blog at https://ow.ly/7PKq50YwVXA.

03/13/2026

that blue glass Evil Eye pendants and the eye on the back of the one-dollar bill come from the same root? They are both historical symbols of protection.

Learn more about eye symbols throughout time and across cultures in our online exhibit “Decoding the Eye: Signs & Symbols” at https://ow.ly/5Bwl50YcXxR.

03/06/2026

UPCOMING EVENT - April Fools: After Hours is back by popular demand!

We’ll be taking our collection of 19th century medical quackery out of the vault for a special after hours event on Saturday, April 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you missed our exhibit “Hoodwinked: 19th Century Quack Medicine” last year, now is your chance to see these quack electronic devices, patent medicines, and more.

Purchase a ticket today: https://ow.ly/FMAS50YnzRj.

Tickets include after-hours access to our quackery collection, a beer and wine bar, and a poster giveaway. This event is 21+. All proceeds support exhibits and programming at the Museum of the Eye. American Academy of Ophthalmology Fisherman's Wharf

02/27/2026

: Macao was home to one of the first Western hospitals in China – and it was specifically ophthalmic. Macao, a Special Administrative Region (SAR) in China, is featured in our West Meets East: Eye Medicine in the Asia-Pacific exhibit. Take a deep dive into Macao’s fascinating history in a new edition of the Eye Witness blog at https://ow.ly/FNi950Y78Gh. West Meets East is on display until May 2026.

Images: (1) Pencil & ink drawing of Colledge Ophthalmic Infirmary in Macao, c1850. (2) Grand Lisboa Casino & Hotel in Macao, current day.

Address

645 Beach Street
San Francisco, CA
94109

Telephone

(415) 447-0208

Website

https://www.aao.org/museum-of-the-eye

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of Eye posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of Eye:

Shortcuts

Featured

6th On 7th Photography Workshop
105 7th Street

Want your museum to be the top-listed Museum in San Francisco?