Featured Project
ORBS Project
The ORBS Project was chartered by the Lions Eye Institute for Transplant and Research to the first of its kind in the world. ORBS allows researchers to connect with source eye banks around the US to post projects for their tissue needs. Source eye banks are able to see the projects posted in real time, the requirements for the tissue for each research project, commit tissue they have available, and send shipment information all from their Internet enabled computers.
About the Institute
The Lions Eye Institute for Transplant & Research, Inc. is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to the recovery, evaluation and distribution of eye tissue for transplantation, research and education. The eye institute is one of the largest in the world. Since its inception, CFLETB has brought the "Gift of Sight" to over 20,000 men, women and children worldwide.
The Lions Eye Institute for Transplant & Research, Inc. was founded by a group of Tampa Lions in 1973. Since the beginning the eye institute had been guided by board of directors comprised of Lions and prominent ophthalmic specialists and surgeons. As a Lion's eye institute, we strive to fulfill the Lion's pledge to Helen Keller to be the "Knights of the Blind in the crusade against darkness."
Over 40,000 Americans and hundreds of thousands of others around the world suffer from corneal blindness each year. Vision loss from corneal disease compromises their quality of life. This tragic loss of vision may be the result of congenital corneal disease, infection, trauma, chemical burns or corneal swelling. Fortunately, through the medical miracle of corneal transplantation, sight restoration is possible. To become an eye donor, sign a donor card and discuss your decision with your family so they can carry out your wishes after your death. For more information call The Lions Eye Institute for Transplant & Research, Inc. at 1-800-277-2020.
You can find out more by visiting: http://www.lionseyeinstitute.org/