Lions and Lions Eye Banks are encouraged to commemorate the anniversary of the first corneal transplant performed by Dr. Eduard Zirm on December 7, 1905 in the present-day Czech Republic.

Following Zirm's successful corneal transplant, other doctors began to replicate the sight-saving surgery. In 1944, the Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration in New York City became the world's first eye bank. Soon thereafter, the Staten Island Central Lions, New York, USA, began supporting this new non-profit facility. 

Lions Clubs International officially adopted the Lions Eye Bank Program in 1984. To download the program logo, click here.

Today, Lions clubs aid 60 Lions eye banks located in nine countries. To celebrate Lions Eye Bank Week and honor the contributions of Lions, clubs are encouraged to:

• inform the public. Click here for a sample press release. 
• host an open house at their local eye bank
• become cornea donors
• organize a fundraiser for their local eye bank.

To learn more about Lions Eye Bank Week, click here. 

For the most current listing of Lions Eye Banks, click here.  

To purchase 100th anniversary Lions Eye Bank Week commemorative pins (US$1 each), click here.