The history of ophthalmology in Cincinnati dates back to 1827, when Dr. Daniel Drake founded the Eye Institute of Cincinnati. Since that time, many other individuals have influenced the course of ophthalmology in the city and region. Included among these were Elkanah Williams, first chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at Miami Medical College of Ohio (the forerunner of the University of Cincinnati), William Seeley, Robert Sattler, Christian Holmes, Derrick T. Vail and his illustrious son Derrick T. Vail, Jr., Clarence King, Karl Ascher, Donald Lyle, and Mary Knight Asbury. The author presents brief biographical summaries and interesting anecdotes about each of these individuals and several others of importance to Cincinnati ophthalmology.