The Department of Ophthalmology at The Second Norman Bethune Hospital of Jilin University was established in 1936. In November 2004, the Ophthalmology Hospital was founded on the basis of the original department and has now become a regionally leading and nationally advanced modern large-scale ophthalmic center integrating medical care, teaching, scientific research, prevention, and healthcare. In 1998, it became the first ophthalmology doctoral degree authorization site in Jilin Province. Currently, it is a National Clinical Key Specialty Construction Project, a Key Discipline of Jilin Province, a Provincial Clinical Key Specialty, and a Key Discipline of Jilin University. It serves as the base for the Jilin Province Ophthalmology Continuing Medical Education Center, Jilin Province Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Jilin Province Ophthalmology Quality Control Center, Jilin Province Eye Disease Prevention and Treatment Center, and Jilin University Ophthalmology Center.

The Ophthalmology Hospital currently employs over 180 professionals, including 14 professors (chief physicians), 19 associate professors (associate chief physicians), 4 doctoral supervisors, and 24 master's supervisors. Among the 66 medical staff, 46 hold doctoral degrees, and 8 are currently pursuing doctoral degrees, accounting for 82% of the total. All senior staff have participated in technical exchanges or advanced studies at renowned ophthalmic centers in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and other cities in China. They are frequently sent to attend international academic conferences. Most of the middle-aged and young key staff have studied or exchanged at institutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Singapore, Hong Kong, and other countries and regions, including prestigious international universities such as Harvard University, Oxford University, the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Akita University, and the Karolinska Institute. Many have returned to work in China after obtaining doctoral degrees abroad, continuously injecting fresh energy into clinical and scientific research in ophthalmology. This excellent academic梯队 has become the source of sustained development and progress for the discipline.

The Ophthalmology Hospital practices specialized divisions based on diseases, with multidisciplinary comprehensive development. It currently has nine specialized departments: First Department of Fundus Diseases, Second Department of Fundus Diseases, Department of Medical Fundus Diseases, Glaucoma Department, Cataract Department, Orbital Diseases and Oculoplastic Surgery Department, Strabismus and Pediatric Ophthalmology Department, Optometry Department, and Laser Myopia Treatment Center. The development level of each specialty aligns with domestic advanced standards, with some specialties leading nationally. The hospital boasts 18 specialized consultation rooms, 12 modern independent operating rooms, and 252 open beds. It is equipped with first-class advanced instruments and equipment, such as large Zeiss surgical microscopes, vitrectomy machines, phacoemulsification systems for cataract surgery, optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanners, Roland electrophysiological diagnostic equipment, automated perimeters, Heidelberg fundus fluorescein angiography machines, fundus laser treatment machines, excimer laser treatment systems, and comprehensive optometers. The hospital performs high-level modern surgeries and diagnostic techniques covering almost all areas of ophthalmology, enjoying a high reputation in the ophthalmic community both within and outside the province. According to incomplete statistics, in 2011, the hospital recorded 202,100 outpatient visits, 11,056 admissions and discharges, 11,353 inpatient surgeries, and over 2,600 emergency surgeries. Statistics show that in recent years, these medical indicators have been increasing at an annual rate of approximately 20%.

Since its establishment, the Ophthalmology Hospital has received funding from 12 National Natural Science Foundation projects, participated in one sub-project of the national "211" Engineering Construction Project, obtained dozens of provincial and ministerial-level scientific research grants with awards, and published over 400 core journal papers, including more than 40 indexed by SCI. Three paper abstracts were accepted by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting and the International Society for Eye Research (ISER) conference. The hospital has actively engaged in collaborative research with internationally renowned institutions such as the University of Oxford in the UK, University of Münster in Germany, University of Basel in Switzerland, Moscow State University in Russia, and University of Manitoba in Canada, enhancing the reputation of its research team both domestically and internationally. It has excellently fulfilled the teaching tasks for the seven-year and five-year clinical medicine programs of Jilin University, as well as the full English teaching program for international students. Since 2006, it has trained 2 postdoctoral researchers, 55 doctoral students, 140 master's students, and over 1,600 advanced training and continuing education participants. Since 1995, the hospital has continuously held 16 academic seminars on new technologies and therapies, inviting renowned national experts such as Li Xiaoxin, Zhao Kanxing, Ge Jian, Yao Ke, Wang Ningli, Yang Peizeng, Fan Xianqun, Liu Zuguo, Wang Wenji, Cui Hao, Ma Zhizhong, Wu Dezheng, Sun Xuguang, Xiao Lihua, Wang Guanglu, and Wen Feng to give lectures or perform surgical demonstrations. These efforts have significantly promoted the development and application of new technologies and therapies within and outside the province. Since 2000, the hospital has annually hosted the Jilin Province Ophthalmology Academic Annual Meeting and the National Fundus Disease Continuing Education Workshop. In 2009, it successfully organized the "7th Northeast Asia Ophthalmology Academic Conference," and in 2010, it hosted the "Finalization Meeting of the Editorial Board of the Chinese Journal of Ophthalmology" and the "10th National Workshop on Advances in Oculoplastic and Aesthetic Surgery."

As the largest modern ophthalmology hospital in Northeast China with the most comprehensive specialties, the largest number of professionals, the highest overall academic level, the most advanced equipment, and the most beds, the Ophthalmology Hospital of The Second Norman Bethune Hospital of Jilin University demonstrates the advantageous position of a regional ophthalmology center through its technology and strength. Simultaneously, with a sense of responsibility and mission, along with superb medical skills, it plays a main channel role in the "patient-centered" medical services of large public hospitals, winning recognition from the industry and trust from patients. With the support and assistance of the National Ministry of Health, the Jilin Provincial Health Department, Jilin University, and The Second Norman Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, the Ophthalmology Hospital has received nearly tens of millions of yuan in equipment funding in recent years. On August 8, 2011, it relocated to a new site with spacious, elegant, and conveniently accessible facilities. A large-scale ophthalmology hospital, renowned domestically, well-equipped, and technologically advanced, has emerged prominently, providing high-quality ophthalmic medical services to patients in Northeast China and benefiting the region. At the same time, it will continue to lead the development direction of ophthalmology in the region.