Lions Eye Institute for Transplant & Research, Inc.

Lions Eye Institute for Transplant & Research is a global resource for providing the gift of sight through our research, charitable projects, distribution, and tissue recovery services. Our mission is to set new standards for ocular endeavors that will improve visual outcomes and quality of life for those who are blind or visually impaired. We strive to fulfill the pledge to Helen Keller “to be the Knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.”Founded as a nonprofit, charitable organization by Tampa Bay area Lions Clubs in 1973, Lions Eye Institute for Transplant & Research (LEITR) is one of the largest eye banks in the world. LEITR is leading the worldwide fight against blinding eye disease through our unique model — uniting the world’s largest Eye Bank, our cutting-edge Ocular Research Center, and our Foundation together to create the leading institution for ocular science. LEITR’s Eye Bank, located in Tampa, FL, is one of the largest combined eye bank and ocular research centers in the world. Since its inception, it has brought the “Gift of Sight” to more than 130,000 men, women and children worldwide and has provided 75,000 eyes for research worldwide.