History of the Institute

Ufa Eye Research Institute is one of Russia's leading centers for ophthalmological research and treatment.

Its history traces back to the second half of the 19th century.  On February 13, 1881, the Empress Maria Alexandrovna Guardianship for the Blind was established with a humanitarian mission: to improve the lives of blind individuals and expand access to eye care. Five years later, on August 31, 1886, the Ufa Branch was founded, becoming the fourth-oldest of the 33 branches then operating across the Russian Empire.

The Ufa Branch launched two pioneering institutions: a vocational shelter for blind adults and a school for blind children aged 7 to 11. The curriculum combined academic instruction with practical vocational training, fostering both intellectual development and self-sufficiency — laying the foundation for dignified, independent lives.

A significant milestone in regional ophthalmology came on August 11, 1901, with the opening of the first outpatient eye clinic in the Ufa Governorate.

Arseniy Belsky was appointed the clinic's first director (1901–1903), followed by Vladimir Sushkin (1903–1904), Anna Meyer (1904–1910 and again in 1920–1925), and Fedor Kirkevich (1910–1914). 

In 1926, as a trachoma epidemic swept through Bashkiria, the Bashkir Trachoma Research Institute was established on the basis of a 50-bed regional hospital — marking the beginning of the Institution's dedicated scientific mission.

Victor Odintsov (1876–1938), founder and first director of the Bashkir Trachoma Research Institute, was born in Ufa on October 11 (23), 1876, into a family of First Guild merchants. After graduating from the Ufa Men’s Gymnasium, he enrolled at Moscow University. His studies were interrupted in 1897 when he was expelled for participating in student protests against the Tsarist regime. In 1901, he resumed his education at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, where he successfully defended his dissertation in 1904 and returned to Ufa the same year to begin his career as a zemsky (district) physician.

In 1934, Professor Vladimir Spassky assumed leadership of the Institute, launching an ambitious republic-wide trachoma screening campaign. Specially trained mobile teams traveled across the region to provide both conservative and surgical treatment on site.  Professor Spassky skillfully integrated scientific research, clinical practice, teaching, and public health initiatives in the fight against trachoma and its complications. He authored numerous scientific publications on the diagnosis and surgical management of the disease and was honored with the Order of the Red Banner of Labour and the Order of the Badge of Honour for his exceptional contributions to healthcare.

During the Great Patriotic War (1941–1945), the Institute was converted into a military hospital for wounded soldiers. In the post-war period (1945–1965), its research focus returned to the prevention and treatment of trachoma and its sequelae. Studies conducted during these years laid the groundwork for fundamental advances in understanding the disease's etiology and pathogenesis. Among the most distinguished contributors was Professor Gabdulla Kudoyarov, Honorary Doctor and Honorary Scientist of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. His research encompassed bacteriological, virological, and morphological investigations of trachoma, as well as viral and vernal conjunctivitis. Thanks to coordinated medical and public health efforts, trachoma was effectively eradicated from the region by the mid-1960s.

In 1965, the Bashkir Trachoma Research Institute was reorganized into the Ufa Eye Research Institute. Its research agenda broadened to include the ocular effects of petrochemical exposure, viral eye diseases, prevention and treatment of ocular trauma, and the strengthening of eye care services throughout the republic.

In the 1980s, the Institute became an interregional center for microsurgery and laser treatment. New laboratories were built and equipped with modern operating microscopes, cryoextractors, phacoemulsifiers, biometers, keratometers, fundus cameras, laser systems, contact and intraocular lens manufacturing machinery. Research interests focused, at that time, on pediatric ophthalmology, medical and social rehabilitation of patients with eye injuries, etc. The main priority was given to congenital cataract surgery. 

Professor Mukharram Bikbov Diretor of Ufa Eye Research Institute Doctor of Medical Science (MD,  PhD) Honoured Doctor of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Bashkortostan

Today, the Ufa Eye Research Institute stands as a leading center for advanced ophthalmic technologies, specializing in cataract surgery, vitreoretinal pathology, and refractive procedures. As a large multidisciplinary institution, it integrates scientific research, clinical care, diagnostic consulting, medical device manufacturing, and postgraduate education. Since 2006, the Institute has undergone significant transformation in both research and clinical practice. Its current team comprises 98 ophthalmologists and researchers, including 9 Doctors of Science and 28 Candidates of Sciences. Among its staff are 2 Honorary Doctors of the Russian Federation, 9 Honorary Doctors of the Republic of Bashkortostan, and 72 physicians holding first or the highest qualification categories. The Institute's research activities are organized across five scientific departments: cornea and lens surgery  vitreoretinal and laser surgery  ophthalmic and medical epidemiology research and innovation research and education

Main areas of work: 

• ophthalmic and medical epidemiology
• complex treatment for corneal diseases and refractive errors
• development of new surgical techniques, laser and pharmacological methods for the rehabikitation of patients with retina and vitreous diseases
• improvement of minimally invasive ultrasound-assisted and femtosecond laser-assisted surgery for age-related and complicated cataracts
• pathogene-oriented technologies in glaucoma surgery; glaucoma prevention
• medical device development

The Ufa Eye Research Institute stands at the forefront of ophthalmic innovation, combining advanced clinical care with cutting-edge research and technology development. Since 2007, the Institute has pursued a strategic focus on innovation and intellectual property commercialization — designing novel medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and vision-restoring technologies. Dedicated infrastructure and specialized teams support these efforts, aligned with Russia's import substitution goals to reduce dependence on foreign medical equipment.

- The Department of Ophthalmic and Medical Epidemiology conducts population-based studies exploring links between eye diseases, systemic conditions, and sociodemographic factors in Bashkortostan. It maintains active collaborations with leading international centers in Germany, the UK, the United States, Singapore, Finland, and China.

- The Cornea and Lens Surgery Department has pioneered breakthrough technologies in corneal crosslinking, including the "UFAlink" and "UFAlink Quant" devices — now mass-produced since 2009 and recognized at international exhibitions. Complementary innovations include the "UV-tester" for radiation monitoring, the "ION" iontophoresis system for transepithelial crosslinking, and Dextralink, a novel crosslinking agent developed through molecular research. Recent advances feature the "UFAlink Impulse" for pulse-mode procedures and a scleral crosslinking device for myopia management. Two clinical trials on keratoconus treatment have been registered in the international ClinicalTrials.gov database, affirming adherence to global research standards.

- The Vitreoretinal and Laser Surgery Department performs advanced 25-gauge vitrectomies for diabetic retinopathy, vitreous hemorrhage, and retinal vascular occlusions, alongside intravitreal anti-angiogenic therapy for age-related macular degeneration. Glaucoma specialists employ a full spectrum of techniques — from Ahmed valves and Ex-Press shunts to the Institute-developed Glaustent device for canaloplasty in open-angle glaucoma.

The Institute was the first among Russian eye centers to introduce femtosecond laser-assisted keratoplasty and cataract surgery, including procedures for congenital cataracts in children and pterygium removal. It also applies 25-gauge techniques in pediatric cataract surgery and polyartifakia for refractive correction in young patients.

Human capital development remains integral to progress: since 2007, staff have defended 36 PhD and 9 habilitation theses in medicine, with young ophthalmologists actively engaged in grant-funded research. International partnerships drive major epidemiological initiatives, including:

• population-based series "Ural Eye and Medical Study", "Ural Very Old Study" and "Ural Childhood Study" (together with Heidelberg University, Germany)
• K-Map. Prevalence of Keratoconus in children and adolescents (together with University of Zurich and ELZA Institute, Switzerland)
• Prevalence of Geographic Atrophy in Asia: the Asian Eye Epidemiology Consortium (with Singapore Eye Research Institute within Asian Eye Epidemiology Consortium - AEEC)
  
• Myopic macular degeneration (with Singapore Eye Research Institute within Asian Eye Epidemiology Consortium - AEEC)
  
• Kidney Disease and POAG (with Singapore Eye Research Institute within Asian Eye Epidemiology Consortium - AEEC)
  
• Brain and Optic nerve study (with Singapore Eye Research Institute)