Lions Eye Institute - Overview

Overview

The Lions Eye Institute was founded in 1975, right after the Lions Save Sight Foundation (LSSF) established the Lions Chair in Ophthalmology at the University of Western Australia. The appointed chairman was Professor Ian Constable. Under his leadership, the Institute has grown to become one of the most important medical research institutions in Australia, and the Southern Hemisphere. Nowadays, the LEI employs 150 scientists, clinicians and support staff, from over 30 nationalitites, making it one of the largest ophthalmic practices in Australia. Over 40,000 patients, from within Australia and the Asia Pacific, access LEI’s day surgery and clinic services, and nearly 3,000 major eye operations are performed each year. The institute also houses the Lions Eye Bank and the LSSF. Most of the institute's funding comes from peer reviewed research grants from organizations, such as the National Health and Medical Research Council, and the Medical and Health Research Infrastructure Fund (MHRIF). Moreover, an important part of LEI's funds come from individual benefactors and members of the Lions Club.