MLERF Vision Programs

Enhanced quality of life through quality vision!

Our Mission

The Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation (MLERF) is dedicated to the alleviation of all forms of blindness through the application of present means available to maintain and restore vision, and to develop new treatments through eye research.

Our Vision

Enhanced quality of life through quality vision.

Our History• 1960: Lions Eye Tissue

Bank begins• 1972: Lions Eye Bank

becomes a non-profit• 1974: Columbia

facility is built • 1987: MLERF becomes

the MO Lions state sight project

Board of Directors

• Board consists of:– A Lion representative from each

district– Current CC and VCC– 4 Non-Lion members

• Terms are for 3 years, with the exception of CC and VCC who serve 1 year terms

Our Work

• Providing the gift of sight to 2,197 individuals last FY.

• Screening 21,568 children for lazy eye in MO last FY, identifying 1,815 at risk.

• Providing eye care assistance to 27 individuals last FY.

Heartland Lions Eye Banks• Cornea: the most

commonly used tissue for transplant; clear outer window of the eye.

• Lens: helps bring rays of light to focus; often used by researchers

• Sclera: white outer protective eye tissue; can be used in reconstructive surgery

Heartland Lions Eye Banks• The eye bank retrieves, processes

and distributes the highest quality donor tissue to corneal surgeons for transplant.

• We are one of the 5 largest of over 75 eye banks in the nation, providing the gift of sight to an average of 8 individuals each day.

Heartland Lions Eye Banks• Our eye banking system consists of 8 branches

throughout MO, KS and IL– Columbia, MO– Springfield, MO– St. Louis, MO– Kansas City, MO– Joplin, MO– Springfield, IL– Hays, KS– Wichita, KS

Heartland Lions Eye Banks

11 22

Our DSC gets a call that tissue is available Once DSC obtains

consent, a technician retrieves

Heartland Lions Eye Banks

33 44

Tissue is further processed and

evaluated

After it is cleared for transplant, tissue is

matched with surgeon’s needs

Heartland Lions Eye Banks

• KC office lab specializes in cutting tissue for DSAEK surgeries.

• HLEB has made over 3,500 surgical cuts for DSAEK tissue.

• DSAEK transplants givequicker healing time forsome patients and do notrequire stitches.

Support of Ocular Research

• NDRI substation • Projects to help find

causes and cures for blindness

• Educational uses

Children’s Vision Screening

• Free screenings for throughout MO for children 6 mo. – 6 years of age

• Since 1995 MLERF has screened over 160,000

• Approximately 9% of children are referred

Children’s Vision Screening

Opportunities for Volunteers

• Sight Ambassadors assist with:– Paperwork, promotion, and assisting

children at amblyopia screenings– Identifying new venues for both

amblyopia and glaucoma screenings– Special events for HLEB, such as local

donor registry drives

Glaucoma Detection

• Program began in 1981• Free screenings are

given throughout MO • Aids in early detection

of blindness caused by buildup of ocular pressure.

Eye Care Assistance• MLERF provides assistance to uninsured

Missourians who cannot afford vision care and do not qualify for state assistance.

• Some covered expenses include: pre-operative and post-operative fees, prescription drugs, and some surgical procedures

• HLEB also provides gratis tissue in some cases• Annual funding for CCTV purchases

Eyeglass Recycling• MLERF receives

60,000+ pair of used eyeglasses each year

• Eyeglasses are sent overseas with medical mission groups.

• Recent destinations: El Salvador, Guatemala, Ecuador

PR & Fundraising• Sightlines e-newsletter• MLERF web site• Videos and DVD programs• Club visits/programs• Awards to clubs• Brochures, flyers and additional

special projects

Monthly Reporting

• Last month’s reports sent on or around the 15th of each month

• Includes:– Financial report– Lions giving report– Overall program statistics report– HLEB recipient report

Questions?

Thank you for your continued support of your state sight

project!