The Institute of Experimental Ophthalmology, was founded in April 1936 under a resolution of the People's Commissars Council of the USSR (order 632).

On 17 January 1956, the USSR Ministry of Health renamed the institute The V. Filatov Ukrainian Research and Development Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine.

The institute is affiliated with the ophthalmology department of the Odesa National Medical University.

The institute is accredited by the Specialised Academic Council to offer doctorate and master's degrees.

The institute has a scientific panel and collects and analyzes statistical information about ocular morbidity and treatment in Ukraine.

It is a three-story L-shaped building housing clinics, departments, administrative offices and faculty.

A two-story extension was added in 1984 to house the archive, statistical office, the journal, the library and museum.

The museum maintains an exhibit of Filatov's office and preserves his house at 53 Frantsuzkyi Boulevard.