The Technical Services branch of the College of Optometry serves under the aegis of the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research. This service is divided into four subsections. Design & Engineering, Histology and Microscopy, Instrument Shop, and Electronics. The Technical Services support the college in all areas of its commitment: Education, Research, and Service. The research interests of the college are the primary focus the technical services, though certainly not exclusively.
When the UH Optometry building was dedicated in 1976, the college was at the beginning of a remarkable growth curve in breadth of curriculum, faculty and student levels, and research activity. The substantial construction and equipment endowments from various agencies ensured that the physical plant and equipment allocated were sufficient to support the various missions of the college. Over the past 30 years the college has renovated and upgraded frequently, keeping at the state-of-the art in all areas. The college now has begun to outgrow its building, and active fund-raising for a new building is underway.
The strengths of the Technical Services section stem from two primary sources: first is the knowledge, experience and dedication of the employees engaged in providing these services; second is the substantial endowment of equipment and space committed to those services. Importantly a Core Grant for Vision Research from the National Eye Institute provides partial support for the personnel and resources. In terms of relevant cumulative experience, the personnel in Technical Services account for more than a century:
