Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Ranked Nation's No. 1 in Ophthalmology for 25th Time
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of the University of Miami Health System has been ranked again as the nation’s Best in Ophthalmology by U.S. News & World Report. This year marks the 25th time that Bascom Palmer has received the No. 1 ranking since the publication began surveying U.S. physicians for its annual “Best Hospitals” rankings in 1990.
“The dedicated team at Bascom Palmer takes pride in upholding our long-standing commitment to enhancing vision, preventing blindness, and expanding expertise in ophthalmology,” said Eduardo C. Alfonso, M.D., professor of ophthalmology. Alfonso served as director of Bascom Palmer and chair of ophthalmology from 2007 to August 2, 2026. “I am delighted that Bascom Palmer has been ranked #1 in ophthalmology each year of my tenure, and am enormously proud of what our extraordinary team of physicians and staff members have built together. I am confident that the Institute’s future is exceptionally bright.”
“Bascom Palmer’s rise to national and international prominence speaks to a deep commitment to excellence in clinical care, vision research, and medical education, said Pradeep Y. Ramulu, M.D., M.H.S., Ph.D., who became Bascom Palmer’s director and chair of the University of Miami Department of Ophthalmology on August 3. Ramulu, a glaucoma specialist who trained at Bascom Palmer as a fellow in 2006-2007, comes to Bascom Palmer from the Wilmer Eye Institute, where he was chief of the glaucoma division and director of the Wilmer StARR (Stimulating Access to Research in Residency) program.
A Top Residency Program
Along with the U.S. News ranking, Bascom Palmer’s ophthalmology residency program once again was ranked the best in the United States by Doximity, an online professional network for U.S. physicians. “Medical education is a central element in Bascom Palmer’s mission,” added Ramulu, “Through the decades, Bascom Palmer’s residents and fellows have taken on leadership roles in their communities across the nation and around the world.”
“The Bascom Palmer Eye Institute is truly the crown jewel of the University of Miami Health System,” said Dipen J. Parekh, M.D., chief executive officer of UHealth – University of Miami Health System, “The physicians and staff members deserve every bit of this recognition, and we celebrate it today knowing that our work is not done. That is what we at UHealth hold ourselves to, and it is what we will continue to build on.”
Global Leadership
Since its founding in 1962, Bascom Palmer has grown steadily to become one of the world’s leading eye institutes with a long list of innovations in every aspect of vision care, including glaucoma; corneal diseases; retinal diseases; pediatric ophthalmology; neuro-ophthalmology; ocular oncology; and ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery.
“We have widely recognized expertise in diagnosing and treating rare and challenging vision conditions,” said Alfonso. “Our faculty continually learn from each other, honing their skills, and developing novel techniques for the benefit of our patients. Our robust research programs provide patients with access to clinical trials, and ensure that our clinicians stay on the leading edge of advancements in their fields.”
High-Impact Research
Bascom Palmer is conducting high-impact research in preventative and restorative vision therapies, added Ramulu. “We have a great opportunity to advance glaucoma care through multiomics – an integrated approach to understanding the genetic, biologic and environmental factors related to vision diseases. This is an area where Bascom Palmer is uniquely positioned to help glaucoma patients maintain their quality of life, and enhance our global leadership in vision care.”
Looking ahead, Ramulu added, “My goal is to inspire and aid my colleagues, trainees and providers worldwide. Bascom Palmer is where my passion for glaucoma took root, and returning to lead this Institution is both a profound honor and a personal homecoming.”
The U.S. News & World Report rankings are based on data from nearly 5,000 medical centers and survey responses from more than 30,000 physicians. The 2026-2027 Best Hospital rankings are accessible at https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings.