Dr. Henry Olin founded the Chicago College of Ophthalmology and Otology.

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Dr. James McFatrich joined Dr. Olin as a full partner in a practice specializing ophthalmology, after a two-year Cook County Hospital internship. He joined Olin’s faculty.

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Dr. Olin retired for health reasons, and Dr. McFatrich took over both the practice and the school’s management.

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Dr. James McFatrich changed the school’s name to Northern Illinois College of Ophthalmology and Otology (NICOO). Six years later, Dr. McFatrich developed a muriate of berberine-based eyedrop (Murine) and established the Murine Eye Remedy Company.

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Dr. George McFatrich, brother of James McFatrich, took over management of NICOO and amended the school’s charter to be the first leading optometric institution to teach vision care to non-medical personnel.

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Dr. Needles founded the Needles Institute of Optometry (NIO) in Kansas City, MO.

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During a Chicago speaking engagement Dr. William Needles met with Dr. George McFatrich, who offered him ownership of NICOO.

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Dr. William Needles purchased NICOO’s stock and left Dr. Ernest Occhiena in charge of the Needles Institute of Optometry.

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Dr. Carl L. Shepard headed NICOO's research department.

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Dr. Needles merged NICOO and NIO, moved operations to Chicago, and changed the school’s name to Northern Illinois College of Optometry (NICO).

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NICO opened the Northern Illinois Eye Institute to the public, treating patients from surrounding schools and welfare agencies, becoming the world’s largest vision correction facility.

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Dr. Reuben Seid established the Midwestern College of Optometry.

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Dr. Seid hired Dr. Carl Shepard from NICO to serve as dean and renamed his school the Monroe College of Optometry (MCO).

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The American Optometric Association adopted the Manual of Accrediting Schools and Colleges of Optometry written by NICO’s Drs. Irvin Borish (NICO '34) and Eugene Freeman (NICO '35).

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Morton L. Abram, LLD, DOS changed MCO’s name to Chicago College of Optometry (CCO) and filed a Council on Education accreditation application.

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The first African-American optometrist to become a faculty member at an accredited U.S. college, Dr. Junius Brodnax (MCO '47), joined the CCO staff.

Dr. Walter Yasko (NICO '48) became Northern Illinois Eye Clinic’s assistant chief of staff.

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Dr. Eugene Tennant (MCO '45) became CCO’s Clinic Administrator.

Dr. Frederick Kushner (NICO '46) was appointed NICO’s dean.

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Dr. Eugene Strawn (MCO '40) became president of CCO’s Alumni Association. He soon became a board member and its executive vice president.

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NICO and the Chicago College of Optometry, the two most prestigious optometry colleges of the time, merged to become the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO).

Dr. Eugene Strawn (pictured left) became ICO's first president.

Dr. Alfred A. Rosenbloom, Jr. (NICO '48) became ICO's first dean.

Dr. Frederick Kushner became ICO’s first Alumni Association president

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The ICO Eye Clinic was dedicated.

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ICO started the student externship program.

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Dr. Leo Manas (NICO '46), specializing in visual training, published his book Visual Analysis and invented the ICO Maze.

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Dr. Stanley C. Pearle (NICO '39) pioneered the concept of one-stop, total eye care with the opening of Pearle Vision.

Dr. Frederick Kushner and Dr. C.K. Hill (NICO '49) initiated an Alumni Association fund raising drive that provided exceptional financial support for ICO.

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Construction  began on Brady Hall, which provided on-campus dormitory housing for ICO students.

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Brady Hall was dedicated and ground was broken for a clinic wing.

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ICO changed its curriculum from a three-year to a four-year professional program.

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Drs. John Howlette (CCO '51) and C. Clayton Powell (CCO '52) founded the National Optometric Association.

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Dr. Alfred A. Rosenbloom, Jr. was named ICO's second president.

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ICO's infant care clinic and exceptional persons clinic opened.

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The Hydrogel lens, the first soft-contact lens, received FDA approval. It was developed by Drs. Newton Wesley and George Jessen (MCO '45).

Federal Health Services & Centers recognized optometrists as providers of primary care vision services.

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Dr. Boyd B. Banwell (NICO '54) became ICO's third president.

President Gerald Ford presented the commencement address.

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ICO's sports vision service was established.

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The ICO Eye Clinic was renamed Illinois Eye Institute (IEI).

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The 50,000-square-foot building addition was completed.

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The Strawn Wing and building additions were dedicated.

Governor Jim Thompson gave the commencement address.

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ICO offered the nation’s first combined O.D./Ph.D. degree program.

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Dr. Charles F. Mullen became ICO's fourth president.

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Dr. Janice Scharre '76 was named dean of ICO, the first woman dean at a school or college of optometry.

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ICO created a new “one card” system for students to use for purchases in the cafeteria, bookstore and vending machines.

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For the first time in the school’s history, ICO’s National Board pass rate placed above the national pass rate.

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Vision of Hope Health Alliance was established at the IEI to provide eye and vision care to thousands of adult patients without insurance coverage.

The Private Practice Clerkship was developed to teach private practice management to students between their first and second years of study.

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Dr. Arol Augsburger was named ICO's fifth president.

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ICO launched VisionCite, the most comprehensive index of vision-related periodicals.

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ICO celebrated its 50th anniversary under its present name.

The Fait Family Eyewear Center was dedicated in the IEI, the result of a generous donation from Dr. Robert Fait ’68.

ICO became the first optometric institution ever to receive a Robert Wood Johnson community partnership grant.

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The IEI is the first optometric clinic to incorporate a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) on site.

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ICO's Clinical Research Suite opened.

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The College held its first “Focus on Your Future” week-long summer program to promote the optometric profession to underrepresented minority students interested in optometry.

ICO’s "Eyepod," the third floor pre-clinic, basic science, and research labs, was completely renovated.

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The Illinois Eye Institute Foundation (IEIF) was developed to raise funds for the charitable services and programs delivered by the IEI.

A new state-of-the-art Visual Electrodiagnostic Center was dedicated and funded by a grant made possible by Illinois State Senator Mattie Hunter.

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ICO enrolled 20 minority students, the highest number in recent memory for any optometry school.

ICO's new Communications and Media Center (CMC) was re-engineered with a more centralized approach to improve the quality of how the institution communicates with its varied audiences.

Dr. Dominick Maino '78 was named national spokesperson for the impact of 3-D movies on vision.

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The ICO Lecture Center (pictured left) was renovated to include state-of-the-art technology.

Dr. Richard S. Kattouf '72 established the Kattouf Program for the Advancement of Independent Optometry, providing practice management consultations for students and residents.

A new IEI community-based clinic opened at Princeton Elementary School, serving Chicago Public School children in need of eye and vision care.

Primary eye/vision care at community-based health centers (FQHC's) expanded to include Alivio, Erie and Access.

The Illinois Eye Institute invested in the NextGen electronic health record system to document the 98,000 annual patient visits to the clinic.

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The Alfred and Sarah Rosenbloom Center for Vision and Aging was dedicated.

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ICO and IOA are hosting an Open House celebration on Friday, June 29, from 5 to 9 p.m. The event is extra special for those of us at ICO because this year also marks the
140th anniversary of the school. The open house event will be held on the ICO campus, 3241 S Michigan Ave., and includes many unique activities for students, alumni, friends and visitors.

Schedule of Events

5:30 pm
Welcome from Dr. Arol Augsburger, president of ICO, and Dr. Sandra  Bury, president of the IOA 

5:00 - 7:00 pm
For you foodies, many ethnic cuisines from around Chicago can be sampled during the Taste of ICO in the campus courtyard. 

5:00 - 9:00 pm

• Interactive campus tours will give you the opportunity to explore our campus and view demonstrations in the "Eyepod," ICO's state-of-the-art clinical lab and research facility. Also, if you named a seat in ICO’s newly remodeled Lecture Center, this will be your chance to show off your permanent place in ICO’s history.
• The latest research from ICO faculty will be showcased in a not- to- be- missed event that includes a specialty dessert bar.
• For the history enthusiasts, ICO and IOA have rummaged through their respective archives to illuminate events that have helped shape the College as well as the practice of optometry in Illinois.

7:00 -7:30 pm
Leadership Circle Reception honoring Dr. Alfred and Mrs. Sarah  Rosenbloom
President's Board Room (by invitation only)

7:30 - 8:30 pm
Meet and Greet Reception with ICO Preceptors and Students
ICO Gymnasium

Chicago Restaurant Recommendations

Can’t visit us in June? Then save the date for ICO’s Homecoming, September 7-9, 2012.

For more information, please contact us at (312) 949-7080 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .