Lions Eye Institute
Australian centre for ophthalmic research and clinical care.
The Lions Eye Institute is a not-for-profit Australian research centre linked to the University of Western Australia. Founded in 1983 with backing from the Lions Clubs of Western Australia, it pairs an eye clinic with scientific work to stop blindness and ease pain from blinding diseases.
Quick Facts
- Motto
- Better vision for all
- Founder
- Professor Ian Constable AO
- Established
- 1983
- Mission
- Medical research
- Focus
- Eye disease
- Chairman
- Tony Joyner
- Head
- Dr Glen Power
- Faculty
- University of Western Australia
Facts from the source article.
History
The Lions Save Sight Foundation (WA) Inc. was created by Western Australian Lions Clubs at a 1970 convention in Albany to lead the development of eye care. Five years later, it established the Lions Chair in Ophthalmology at the University of Western Australia. In 1983, guided by Professor Ian Constable, the Lions Eye Institute (LEI) was founded as a not-for-profit. It later moved to the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital grounds. A 1994 partnership with the University of Western Australia formed the Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science. The LEI changed its legal structure to a not-for-profit limited liability company in 2003.
Overview
The LEI employs scientists, clinicians, and support staff conducting scientific research into blindness. It includes a Laser Vision Centre, the Lions Eye Bank, Lions Outback Vision, Lions Optics, and the Lions Save-Sight Foundation. The Institute participates in clinical trials for new eye disease treatments, collaborating with scientists, ophthalmologists, and pharmaceutical companies. Funding comes from clinic operations and grants from organisations such as the National Health and Medical Research Council, individual benefactors, and the LSSF.
Services
The LEI provides standard clinical services, LASIK surgery at the Lions Laser Vision Center, cataract micro-surgery with lens implantation, eyelid plastic surgery, and full optometric service at Lions Optics. The Lions Eye Bank collects and distributes corneal and scleral tissue, supplying thousands of corneal transplants across Western Australia. The Institute initiated the Pilbara Aboriginal Eye Health Program targeting diabetes-related blinding eye diseases in Aboriginal populations. In July 2007, it helped set up the Bali Mandara Eye Hospital as part of Australian Government aid to Indonesia, handing it over in October 2015. The LEI offers consultations and health education seminars with organisations including Glaucoma Australia and the Macular Degeneration Foundation, and its ophthalmologists consult at Perth's major teaching public hospitals.
Research Activities
LEI teams investigate major causes of blindness such as cataracts, diabetes-related eye disease, glaucoma, retinal degenerations, and corneal and immune-based diseases. Over 70 scientists use technologies including gene therapy and telemedicine to develop treatments. The Institute has partnerships with the American Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Shanghai University, Swedish University of Agricultural Science, University of Missouri, and the National Eye Institute (USA). Research led to the first retinal vein bypass treatment for blockages and the first transgenic mouse model for Age-Related Macular Degeneration. The first artificial cornea, AlphaCor, was developed and implanted at the LEI. The Institute is a core academic centre for clinical trials of new pharmaceutical therapies and surgical procedures; for example, the Xen Gel Stent, an implantable device developed at the LEI, received FDA approval in 2016.
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