The John A. Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah has been ranked No. 9 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in its 2026-2027 Best Hospitals for Ophthalmology report. The ranking marks the fifth consecutive year the center has been recognized as one of the nation's Top 10 High-Performing hospitals for eye care.
National Recognition and Methodology
The national ranking is based on survey results from ophthalmologists regarding where they would refer patients with the most complex eye conditions. According to the University of Utah, the publication only includes high-performing institutions that receive at least 5% of votes over a three-year period.
Comprehensive Eye Care Services
As the largest ophthalmology clinical care and research center in the Mountain West, the Moran Eye Center provides a full spectrum of services. These include treatments for cataracts, glaucoma, LASIK, and retinal diseases, as well as care for sight-threatening conditions like age-related macular degeneration.
Scale of Clinical Operations
The facility operates 10 satellite clinics and manages more than 188,000 patient visits and 10,700 surgeries annually. Beyond clinical care, the center supports nearly 20 research labs and centers where faculty work on developing new treatments for blinding conditions.
Academic and Residency Excellence
The center's academic programs include training for 12 residents, four interns, and up to 13 fellows each year. The ophthalmology program has a history of high-level training, having been ranked No. 1 in the West and No. 7 in the nation for residency education by Doximity in 2026.
Leadership and Legacy
The Moran Eye Center has undergone significant leadership transitions in recent years. The department's CEO, Randall J. Olson, MD, announced his retirement following a 46-year career, during which he served as the country's longest-serving academic ophthalmology department chair. Jeff Pettey, MD, MBA, currently serves as the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Chair.
Mission and Global Outreach
The center maintains a mission to provide compassionate care regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender identity, or socioeconomic status. Its Global Outreach Division works to expand access to care by providing services to underserved Utahns and training medical professionals in under-resourced countries.
