The hospital was originally founded in the neighbourhood of Royapettah (on the grounds of the present-day Wesley Church) in 1819 as the Madras Eye Infirmary (MEI).
[3] A black plaque outside the hospital premises reads: "Government Infirmary for gratuitous treatment of diseases of the eye.
[3][4] In 1921, the Elliot Ophthalmic Museum was opened by Kirkpatric's successor Lieutenant Colonel R. E.
[4] In 1942, the medical school started offering a post-graduate diploma program in ophthalmology.
[4] With its opening, the hospital had an entire block dedicated for eye bank.
[3] In 1960, an old garden house opposite the old campus was obtained to build its nurses' quarters.