Our History

On August 10th, Lions World Vision Institute forged an agreement to acquire SightLife of Seattle, Washington, one of the top eye banks in the nation. Combined, the nonprofit is now the largest eye bank, tissue recovery and ocular research center in the world with nearly 300 employees.

“At Lions World Vision Institute, our vision is simple: to help others see,” said Jason Woody, President and CEO of Lions World Vision Institute. “We are driven to improve visual outcomes and quality of life for people who are blind or visually impaired, and we make that happen by creating innovations—new technology, new procedures, and new ways to collect and transplant tissue from compassionate donors. This partnership with SightLife takes our ability to accomplish that mission to the next level.”

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OptiGraft^® sterile ophthalmic allografts for glaucoma and corneal applications was developed by Lions Eye Institute for Transplant and Research (LEITR) to increase the potential availability donated tissue. We have streamlined the preparation and sterilization process to provide premium sterile allografts with an optimal safety profile.

DMEK EndoGlide expanded the surgical options and helped advance DMEK surgery by allowing surgeons more control for complex cases.

The merger with RTI Donor Services allowed the organization to expand its services to include the recovery of other kinds of human tissue including bone, skin, heart valve, and other life-transforming tissues.

One World Sight Alliance is a partnership of 22 eye banks who work in unison to maximize the gift of donation.

In partnership with the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida and DonateLife, we developed a Donation Awareness Patch Program to help young girls understand the importance of and advocate for organ, eye, and tissue donation.

The acquisition of International Sight Restoration allowed us to expand our international distribution of ocular tissue. Upon completion of the acquisition we became a global leader in the distribution of ocular tissue. We currently work with over 50 countries to restore sight to those living with blinding corneal diseases.

The Blister Method expanded processing services available to surgeons, like Dr. Ahad Mahootchi, who performed the first PDEK in Florida with tissue processed at Lions Eye Institute for Transplant and Research.

Graft preparation for Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) procedures were subsequently offered, allowing surgeons to concentrate on transplanting the graft instead of the tissue preparation. 

We were the first eye bank to offer no-touch processing for DMEK and PDEK grafts using hydrodissection technique (Blister Method). Studies proved the Blister Method offers advantages over the SCUBA technique.

The High Pressurized Anterior Chamber (HPAC) technique was standardized to prepare precision DSAEK grafts. Surgeons performing Ultrathin DSAEK could request graft thicknesses of 40-60 microns.

Restoring our headquarters is a passion project and we are proud to preserve our 1907 cigar factory building. This would not be possible without the support of Hillsborough County. Since we started renovations, we have replaced the soffits, fascia, and windows, repointed the interior and exterior brick and replaced the roof.

After establishing the Ocular Research Center, our Board of Directors chose to change the name again to better reflect our work. Lions Eye Institute for Transplant & Research is now a household name throughout the community and with our surgeon partners around the world.

Establishing the Ocular Research Center was important to the long-term vision of our organization. We built a separate facility on the property for this specific purpose where we work with academic, pharmaceutical, and other research partners to arrest, delay, and cure blinding eye diseases that cannot be cured with a cornea transplant.

The Eye Ball is the signature fundraiser held annually by Lions Eye Institute Foundation. The event raises funds to support our Gratis Ocular Tissue Program, providing sight-saving surgery to individuals who cannot afford it, and other important initiatives.

The F. Lozano Cigar factory was retrofitted for our Eye Banking purposes and since then, we have completed many renovations to restore the building to its historic glory.

The Lions Eye Institute Foundation serves as the charitable and fundraising arm of Lions Eye Institute for Transplant & Research. It has a separate Board of Directors.

In 2005 we also merged with North Florida Lions Eye Bank – a move that allowed our organization to serve our neighbors in North Florida.

This special event began as a small gathering of people who believe in restoring sight. Now rebranded as Roar Through Ybor, the event boasts nearly 1,600 participants and is a valuable partnership between the Lions Eye Institute Foundation and LifeLink Legacy Fund. This annual event raises awareness of organ, eye, and tissue donation.

Jason began his career at Lions Eye Institute as an Eye Bank Technician. The organization has seen a lot of positive change and growth during his nearly 30-year tenure.

Lions Eye Institute was able to purchase a condo on Westshore Boulevard in Tampa. Because Lion Dan Carter was instrumental in obtaining this grant, he was regarded as the “Father of the Central Florida Lions Eye Bank. We give an award in his name to exceptional Lions who serve above and beyond to honor his service.

At this time, the Eye Bank was fully staffed with three employees offering 24/7 technical coverage of the Tampa Bay area.

Lions International Past President, Dr. Walter H. Campbell gave the dedication speech. Lion John Bartley was elected as the first President, the first Medical Director was Dr. William Edwards, and the first paid employee was Eye Bank Technician, John Brisner.

While there were already two eye banks in Florida: North Florida Lions Eye Bank in Jacksonville and Florida Lions Eye Bank in Miami, there was no single, consistent non-profit serving donor families and recipients in the central Florida area.

Lions John Bartley, Lawrence Dye, Peter Leto, Daniel Carter, Harold Hamacher, Robert Reilly, and Lionesses Marion Hamacher and Clare Miller were instrumental in forming the vision to establish the Central Florida Lions Eye Bank.