Lions Eye Institute

The Lions Eye Institute (LEI) in Perth, Western Australia,offers a unique blend of scientists and clinicians working together to generate techniques used to reduce suffering from blinding eye conditions. It is a limited liability company, with not-for-profit and tax-exempt gift recipient status, overseen by a Board of Directors. Established by the Lions Club, it has been affiliated with the University of Western Australia, since its inception in 1975. Professor David Mackey has been the Managing Director since 2009 and David Eiszle has been Chairman since 2005.[1]

Overview

In 1975 the Lions Save-Sight Foundation (LSSF) established the Lions Chair in Ophthalmology at the University of Western Australia. Professor Ian Constable AO was appointed to this position and subsequently established the Lions Eye Institute (LEI ) in 1983.

The LEI employs scientists, clinicians and support staff to conduct first class scientific research into blindness and incorporates one of Australia’s largest ophthalmic practices. The Institute also houses a Laser Vision Centre – Western Australia’s premier refractive surgery centre, the Lions Eye Bank – responsible for the collecting, processing and distribution of corneal and scleral tissue throughout Western Australia, Lions Optics and the Lions Save Sight Foundation (LSSF).

The LEI’s longevity and internationally recognised reputation is testament to the excellence of its research and clinical capabilities. Research groups at the LEI are involved in both national and international collaborative programs.

The Institute actively participates in numerous clinical trials which enable scientists,ophthalmologists and pharmaceutical companies to develop new treatments for eye diseases.

The institute's funding comes from clinic operations, grants from organisations such as the NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Council), individual benefactors and the Lions Save Sight Foundation. [2]

Their Mission is to achieve excellence in scientific research and clinical practice to prevent blindness, and their Vision is threefold - to conduct research into the causes, prevention and treatment of diseases and conditions giving rise to blindness and other ocular disorders on a not-for-profit basis; to advance the standards of medical eye care through education and training of the medical and allied professions; to stimulate public interest in the social and economic impact of eye disease through promotion of eye health awareness, community screening programs and population research relevant to prevention of blindness.

Services

Besides providing regular clinical services, the institute provides: LASIK surgery at the Lions Laser Vision Center; cataract micro-surgery and lens implantation; plastic surgery of the eyelids including blepharoplasty, ptosis repairs, pterygia, conjunctival grafts and corneal grafts at the Day Surgery Center; and full Optometric Service at Lions Optics. The Lions Eye Bank is responsible for collecting, processing and distributing corneal and scleral tissue throughout Western Australia. To date it has provided tissue for over 3,000 corneal transplants.[3]

Research activities

LEI's laboratory-based and clinical research teams investigate all major untreated causes of blindness including cataracts, diabetes related eye disease, glaucoma, retinal degenerations, corneal, and immune-based diseases. More than 70 scientists at LEI use a range of technologies to develop treatments for blinding diseases, including gene therapy and telemedicine. LEI has several major international collaborations and partnerships with a wide range of Australian and international institutions, and collaborates with industry in joint research and development projects. Among the international institutions that the LEI has been actively collaborating with are American Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Shanghai University, Swedish University of Agricultural Science, University of Missouri and the National Eye Institute (USA).

Groundbreaking research done by the Lions Eye Institute's research teams has led to the development of the first retinal vein bypass treatment for retinal vein blockages, and the development of the first transgenic mouse model for Age-Related Macular Degeneration, which is the leading cause of blindness in those aged over 55. With this model, they expect research to accelerate into the development of ARMD that may lead to an effective treatment of this disease. At LEI, the world’s first artificial cornea was developed and implanted into a human eye. This artificial cornea was named AlphaCor, and the institute currently owns its patent rights.[4]

Ophthalmologists

Research Groups at LEI

References

  1. ↑ "Board of Directors". Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  2. ↑ LEI 2011 Annual Report
  3. ↑ "Services at the LEI". Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  4. ↑ C R Hicks, G J Crawford, X Lou, D T Tan, G R Snibson, G Sutton, N Downie, L Werner, T V Chirila and I J Constable (November 2003). "Corneal replacement using a synthetic hydrogel cornea, AlphaCor™: device, preliminary outcomes and complications". Eye. doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6700333.

See also