The facility has its origins in the Sunderland and North Durham Eye Infirmary established on High Street East in 1836.[1] It subsequently moved to Crowtree Terrace and then relocated to Stockton Road in 1893.[1] It became the Sunderland and Durham County Eye Infirmary in 1903 and the Durham County and Sunderland Eye Infirmary in 1911.[1] The current facility, which was financed by a gift from Sir John Priestman, a shipbuilder, was opened by Princess Elizabeth as the Sir John Priestman Durham County and Sunderland Eye Infirmary shortly after the Second World War.[2] It joined the National Health Service in 1948.[3]
