The Luminaires: A Legacy of Generosity and Involvement
Doheny Eye Institute is an independent, not-for-profit, charitable enterprise dedicated to advancing vision research. It is guided by three objectives, to increase knowledge of the human eye and its diseases through research, to apply this increased knowledge to patient care, and to transmit this knowledge through education, training, and community service. The mission of Doheny Eye Institute as set forth by its founder Carrie Estelle Doheny, is “To further the conservation, improvement and restoration of human eyesight”.
Because of her own experience with glaucoma, and because she saw the need within the community for a facility devoted to the treatment of eye disease, Carrie Estelle Doheny founded The Estelle Doheny Eye Foundation in 1947. At that time there were no institutions dedicated to vision research and patient care on the West Coast. It was renamed Doheny Eye Institute in 1987 to more accurately reflect its mission.
In 1975, the Doheny Board of Directors called upon Mary Crary, wife of Gordon B. Crary Jr., a Doheny Board member, to organize a women’s support group. She selected an Advisory Committee which would join in this endeavor and be responsible for much of the planning and guidance of the organization during its early years. On May 22, 1975, the first meeting of this group was held when Mary Crary hosted a luncheon for twenty women. From this beginning the group expanded and was named “The Luminaires” which means “Givers of Light”. The now familiar logo was adopted and by-laws were written, and in 1976 the first Board of Directors was activated with Mary Crary serving as President.
Mary Crary served as President until the spring of 1981. During her tenure, “The Doheny Series” was inaugurated and the group’s first gala benefit dinner dance was held. Sadly, Mary Crary passed away in December 1992 at the age of 71. She was a woman who enhanced the lives of many people. Perhaps her greatest gift to Doheny and the most appropriate living tribute to her is The Luminaires.
In 2013, Doheny Eye Institute announced its affiliation with UCLA Stein Eye Institute. Doheny continued its outstanding work sponsoring research and developing new modalities of care in the treatment of vision threatening diseases. In 2021, Doheny Eye Institute began its move to the new vision science campus located at 150 North Orange Grove Boulevard in Pasadena. The new facility includes administration, expanded vision research laboratories, and a state-of-the-art conference center. In 2025, the Doheny Eye Center UCLA-Pasadena clinic relocated to the new facility and continues to provide world class patient care at the new headquarters.
The Luminaires Founder Chapter, together with the once-active Luminaires Juniors and The Luminaires Orange County Chapter, has been responsible for raising over $8.5 million for Doheny Eye Institute.
Affiliated with UCLA Stein Eye Institute for patient care, Doheny Eye Institute’s vision science campus is now headquartered in Pasadena bringing together vision research, education, and innovation to help preserve and restore sight for people everywhere.