Best in Ophthalmology in the USA. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute is ranked Best in Ophthalmology by both U.S. News & World Report and Ophthalmology Times. This is the 20th time that we have received the #1 ranking from US News since the publication began surveying U.S. physicians for its annual rankings 32 years ago. (1994, 1998, 2004, 2005, 2006 ....