The Lions Eye Institute Foundation was established in 2005 to support outreach, education, treatment and research of sight-related issues.

Our History

The Foundation's young life is rooted in Tampa history. It is the brainchild of The Lions Eye Institute for Transplant & Research, Inc. (LEITR), founded by a group of Tampa Lions in 1973. Today, LEITR is the largest eye bank in the world. It has brought the gift of sight to more than 30,000 men, women and children through the recovery, evaluation and distribution of eye tissue for transplantation, research and education.

Over the years however, Institute leaders saw many needs that they could not fulfill, particularly the unique, sometimes unseen and often unmet needs of blind and visually impaired people. Therefore, with enthusiasm, vision, and careful planning the LEITR Board of Directors established the Foundation.