Quinze-Vingts National Eye Hospital, Ophthalmology hospital in 12th arrondissement, Paris, France.
Quinze-Vingts National Eye Hospital is France's leading specialized center for ophthalmology and vision disorders of all kinds. The facility contains multiple departments for eye diseases, genetic vision conditions, and operates a dedicated emergency department for urgent eye cases.
The institution was founded in 1260 by King Louis IX as a shelter for blind people in Paris. In 1779, it relocated to its current location on rue de Charenton after the former barracks of the Black Musketeers became available.
The name Quinze-Vingts comes from medieval French numerals, literally meaning "fifteen times twenty," an old way of counting to three hundred. The hospital was originally built as a refuge for blind people, and this purpose still shapes its identity today.
The hospital is located on rue de Charenton in the 12th arrondissement and is easily accessible by public transportation. Visitors should know that appointments are usually scheduled in advance, and walk-in visits are rarely possible.
The hospital houses the Vision Institute, a recognized research center focused on retinal diseases and visual disorders. This laboratory works on developing innovative treatments for various forms of vision loss and contributes to advancing therapeutic methods.
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