In 1822, because of the increasing population of New York City and the increasing awareness of the existence of the New York Eye Infirmary and its results of treatment, larger quarters were needed, and the New York Eye Infirmary moved to 1 Murray Street and Broadway, across from Columbia College. At this location, an apothecary was appointed to prepare and dispense medications. In 1824 the Infirmary moved to 139 Duane Street, near lower Broadway, a portion of a vacant building leased from, and on the grounds of, the New York Hospital. The building was formerly used to house the insane and was the former old marine hospital. The leased space consisted of a kitchen and one room on the first floor and the entire second floor. This lease was for $500 per year and was made possible by an act of relief from the New York State legislature, which appropriated $1000 a year for 2 years, for care at the New York Eye Infirmary, with the stipulation that at least one medical student from each county of the state be admitted free of charge to observe medical and surgical treatment at the Infirmary. Inpatient care, and therefore surgical capabilities, were established at this time. Private patients paid $2.50 per week. Patients from other states were required to pay for their own board.

     One must wonder what would have happened had the New York Hospital made the New York Eye Infirmary a permanent part of its structure and organization. The entire surgical staff were physicians on the staff of the New York Hospital, and a large number of the Board of Directors were also on the Board at the New York Hospital. Other cities and major general hospitals would probably have followed this format, and there would not be the problem that exists today of freestanding eye and ear hospitals attempting to reaffiliate with general hospitals and universities for survival in this era of cost containment and managed care, and there would not be the duplication of services that exists between the general hospitals and specialty hospitals. But perhaps this separation helped to free ophthalmology and otolaryngology to expand to the levels they have achieved, unencumbered by the larger issues and problems of the general hospital.

     John Delafield, Jr, Treasurer of the New York Eye Infirmary and brother of Dr. Edward Delafield, was charged with the task of developing a seal for the Infirmary. He and a committee put forth, and the directors adapted this seal on July 21, 1824, and depicted "the great physician restoring sight to a man born blind, the seal stands as a symbol of the religious background and piety of its founders." ^8,9