Its faculty has published over 3,000 scientific papers and has trained nearly 500 ophthalmic specialists from more than 30 countries. The research agenda soon expanded from retinal diseases to include virtually every part of the eye and most major blinding diseases. In 1991, The Institute became affiliated with the Harvard Medical School. The Institute's research program concentrates on the causes and prevention of blinding eye diseases. An independent, non-profit organization, the Institute is one of the top two recipients of grant funding from the National Eye Institute.
Additional funding comes from the generosity of individuals, foundations and corporations.