Our History
One of the Largest and Most Innovative Eye Banks in the World
The Minnesota Lions Eye Bank serves the community by providing donor eye tissue for transplant, research, and teaching and by promoting donation through education.
As one of the largest and most innovative eye banks in the world, the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank has helped restore sight to more than 18,000 people, and the organization reaches important milestones in eyesight restoration every year.
The Lions’ Share
Founded in 1960, The Minnesota Lions Eye Bank is a non-profit organization primarily funded by Minnesota Lions and affiliated with the University of Minnesota’s Department of Ophthalmology. The eye bank, the first of many partnerships between the Lions and the University of Minnesota, operates under the university and the direction of a 22-member Lions Board of Directors.
The Lions generate public support and awareness for the eye bank. Lions club activities educate the community and contribute greatly to the success of the eye bank. Much of the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank’s recognition in the state is due to the outreach of Lions members.
Corneal Storage Breakthrough
In its early days, cornea transplantation was similar to modern organ transplantation: A donor cornea had to be transplanted within a few hours of the donor’s death. This restriction severely limited the number of potential transplants.
In 1972, the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank helped develop a preservation solution for corneas. This solution preserved the cornea for up to two weeks and permitted corneal surgeries to be performed as scheduled procedures. Short-term storage revolutionized eye banking. The technology is still in use around the world today.
Help from Funeral Directors
In 1974, The Minnesota State Legislature authorized properly-trained funeral directors to perform enucleation (surgical eye removal) procedures. Prior to this law, only ophthalmologists enucleated, placing stringent limitations on eye donation, especially in greater Minnesota.
Both the eye bank and funeral directors enthusiastically embraced the new program. Since 1974, the program has expanded to include nurses, emergency medical technicians, and other medical personnel in addition to funeral directors.
Approximately 60 enucleators currently volunteer for the eye bank to make donation an option for all Minnesotans. The eye bank is grateful for their ongoing support of eye donation and donor families.
The eye bank is accredited by the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) and regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).