Our child-friendly, state-of-the-art exam rooms are specially designed to evaluate sight in patients of all ages, even those who are too young to talk and tell the doctor what they see. Whether visiting for a routine vision exam or a more serious eye problem, our patients find the colorful, relaxed atmosphere of the Ratner Center makes going to the eye doctor a happy experience.

The Ratner Children's Eye Center is directed by David Granet, M.D., director of pediatric ophthalmology and eye alignment disorders for the UCSD School of Medicine. With a tireless energy and an innate love of children, Dr. Granet and his staff have made the Ratner Center a truly special place for children to receive routine as well as highly specialized eye care.

Ratner Children's Eye Center
UCSD Shiley Eye Center Complex
9415 Campus Point Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093

Appointments: (858) 534-2020

Featured Donor: Anne F. Ratner
From the Shiley Eye Center Viewpoint

Anne F. Ratner is a beloved longtime community volunteer and philanthropist in San Diego actively supporting numerous arts, sciences, service and Jewish organizations. She has not only been involved with the Shiley Eye Center at UCSD, but many other areas on campus as well.

“I am motivated by my concern for children to start their life free of any curable impediment to their eyesight.” - Mrs. Ratner Anne F. Ratner and David B. Granet, M.D. EyeMobile for Children

2005 marks the 10th Anniversary of the Anne F. and Abraham Ratner Children’s Eye Center. The impact of Anne F. Ratner on the children of San Diego and the UCSD Department of Ophthalmology is far reaching. Our pediatric ophthalmologists can examine and treat young patients in a freestanding child friendly facility as well as in a mobile unit traveling around the San Diego County.

In the 1980’s, Mrs. Ratner and her husband, Abraham, became interested in Professor and Director of the Shiley Eye Center, Dr. Stuart I. Brown’s dream of creating a state-of-the art eye center dealing exclusively with children’s eye problems. After Mr. Ratner’s passing, Mrs. Ratner donated the funds to build the Abraham Ratner Children’s Eye Center in his honor which opened in 1995. Mrs. Ratner noted, “The children of San Diego needed an eye center that was made for them. The Ratner Children’s Eye Center reflects my husband’s love of children and his desire to help them in any way he could.” The 3,000 square foot facility was specially designed, equipped and furnished to create an atmosphere that delights children and makes them feel more comfortable. There are over 4,000 children patient visits each year at the Ratner Children’s Eye Center. “The Ratner Children’s Eye Center is a symbol of our commitment to provide the highest quality eye care and improved access to vision resources for children in the San Diego County”, said Dr. Brown. Because of Mrs. Ratner’s remarkable contributions to the thriving of the eye center, we have with her permission changed the name to the Anne F. and Abraham Ratner Children’s Eye Center.

Mrs. Ratner had the foresight to recognize that an outstanding pediatric ophthalmologist would be needed to direct the specialized facility. In 2001, David B. Granet, M.D. , Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology, as well as the Director of the Ratner Children’s Eye Center, was selected to fill the inaugural Anne F. Ratner Endowed Chair in Pediatric Ophthalmology. The chair supports teaching, research and community outreach in pediatric ophthalmology. “This chair ensures that research, so crucial to helping children’s vision and preventing blindness, will be an ongoing commitment for the UCSD Department of Ophthalmology,” Dr. Granet said.

Mrs. Ratner went even further in her support for children’s vision within the San Diego community by taking a leadership role in establishing the EyeMobile for Children as part of the Save Our Children’s Sight Program in the Shiley Eye Center’s Division of Community Ophthalmology. The EyeMobile provides outreach to pre-school children in Headstart programs throughout San Diego’s underserved communities. Barbara Brody, M.P.H., Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology and Director of Community Ophthalmology noted that “Undetected vision problems in young children that may impact their learning are very common. When children’s eyesight is impaired and not corrected early, it can lead to permanent vision loss and/or difficulty learning. The thoughtful leadership of Anne Ratner and her family is a continuous inspiration in our community.” The EyeMobile with its comprehensive Save Our Children’s Sight program makes it the only one of its kind in the country. The program has helped more than 30,000 low-income children since its inception in 2001 by offering vision screenings, eye exams and glasses free of charge.

Mrs. Ratner has created a legacy in the UCSD Department of Ophthalmology in which both of her children, Pauline Foster and Sanford Ratner, as well as her extended family continue to be involved. It is a legacy that not only affects those young patients at the Anne F. and Abraham Ratner Children’s Eye Center and served by the EyeMobile, but ongoing pediatric ophthalmology research of the future. Dr. Granet says it best, “Anne Ratner has demonstrated her family’s determination to conquer childhood blindness and vision loss. Children for generations will benefit.”

Shiley Eye Center Partners with
the San Diego Lions Club
From the Shiley Eye Center Viewpoint

Anthony Richards and David B. Granet, M.D. before surgery

Anthony Richards’ high school graduation gift from his stepmother, Jaecey Suda, was a trip to visit her in San Diego. His trip to see Suda became more than just a vacation. It was a trip that would forever change the way he sees the world and the way the world sees him.

Anthony had strabismus (eye misalignment) but unfortunately, his family did not have the means to get him the needed treatment. Therefore, he spent all 18 years of his life embarrassed to show his eyes and often wore mirrored sunglasses. He had been “hiding his soul to the world,” says Suda.

Despite his eye problems, Anthony achieved success in his life and has many future aspirations. He is an avid surfer in Hawaii, has won many competitions for his Maui High School track team, and is an ace auto mechanic. His dream is to become a NASCAR auto mechanic. Just recently, he won an auto mechanics competition sponsored by NASCAR and the Ford Motor Company. He was subsequently offered acceptance and a partial scholarship to attend the NASCAR Mechanic University in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Lions Optometric Vision Clinic and the Southern California Lions Eye Institute (SCLEI) referred Anthony to the Anne F. and Abraham Ratner Children’s Eye Center Director, Dr. David B. Granet, at the the Shiley Eye Center. The Shiley Eye Center is the sole SCLEI provider of eye care and treatment by specialists equipped to perform surgeries on children in the California region. The partnership between the Shiley Eye Center and the SCLEI is a commitment by both institutions to be of service to those who do not have the means for eye care and treatment.

Upon first meeting Anthony, Suda remembers Dr. Granet’s whole-hearted and enthusiastic determination to straighten Anthony’s eyes. “Dr. Granet came into the exam room, looked at Anthony and said ‘I can help you’. He has been so wonderful and has done all he can to ensure that Anthony got the needed surgery. This has been an emotional rollercoaster, but now I sincerely believe that through prayer and the help of good people like the Lions, Dr. Granet, and my church, nature’s mistakes can be fixed,” says Suda. Anthony had successful eye surgery with Dr. Granet. He can now lead a normal life free from wearing sunglasses to hide his eyes. Mrs. Suda organized an eyeglass drive at her church to be donated to the Lions Optometric Vision Clinic which provides eyeglasses for people who cannot afford them.

The Shiley Eye Center collects unwanted glasses to donate to the Lions Club program on an ongoing basis. Glasses are accepted at the Shiley front desk during business hours 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.