Lions Eye Bank of WA

Established in 1986, the Lions Eye Bank is the only facility in WA that coordinates the collection, processing and distribution of eye tissue for transplantation. Professor Geoffrey Crawford was the Eye Bank's first Medical Director.

All donor tissue is used either for transplantation or, if unsuitable, for ethically approved research or surgical training with the consent of the donor’s family. This tissue is crucial to advancing research and developing surgical techniques.

New storage methods have contributed to the most significant growth in 30 years of Eye Banking in WA. Where some patients used to wait more than 2 years for a graft, transplants are now being performed within a matter of weeks. State of the art surgical techniques have evolved so only the diseased portion of the cornea is replaced, enhancing the recovery period and visual outcome for the patient. Previously, the entire cornea was replaced regardless of the diagnosis.

As a member of the Eye Bank Association of Australia and New Zealand (EBAANZ), the Lions Eye Bank works collaboratively with other eye banks to maintain consistently high levels of quality, safety, proficiency and ethics. Excess tissue is shared when appropriate and emergency requests for tissue are always supported.

As an independent organisation, the Lions Eye Bank of Western Australia is self-funded through cost recovery and is supported by the Lions Save-Sight Foundation.

The Medical Director, Associate Professor Steven Wiffen, and the Manager, Lisa Buckland, head a dedicated team of nurses and scientists.