In 1954, Dr. Alson E. Braley, chair of the department of ophthalmology and visual sciences at the University of Iowa, saw the need for an eye bank in the Midwest and approached the Lions Clubs of Iowa at the Lions State Convention in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
Iowa Lions accepted the challenge, raised initial funding through their service organization, and the Iowa Lions Eye Bank was established at the University of Iowa Hospital on September 13, 1955.
Sixty-five years later, Iowa Lions Eye Bank continues to be the only eye bank in the state of Iowa, serving all 99 counties.
The Iowa Lions Eye Bank remains a national leader in eye banking, conducting innovative research into the causes of corneal diseases and performing state-of-the art processing techniques to prepare donated corneal tissue for surgeon needs. The Eye Bank also plays a key role in promoting donation and providing education regarding the donation process to potential donors and recipients of corneal tissue, as well as the health care and funeral home providers who assist in the process.
As we mark our 65th year, we are proud to continue our dedication to the restoration and preservation of sight through the recovery, processing, and distribution of ocular tissue for transplantation and research.
The Iowa Lions Eye Bank will be celebrating this milestone anniversary throughout the year with special posts on social media and their website, a virtual tour of the facility, and more. Be sure to follow us on Facebook to help us commemorate the past 65 years and look forward to the next 65!
Learn more at: