Patients across Florida will have greater access to sight-restoring care following a $228,641 Vision Grant awarded by Lions Clubs International Foundation to Lions District 35-N. The grant supports upgrades to Beauty of Sight's eye bank laboratory, expanding capabilities to serve more patients throughout the state.
The matching grant was made possible through support from Lions clubs across District 35-N and the Multiple District 35 region, which includes Florida, the Bahamas, Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. The expansion strengthens the organization's capacity to provide corneal tissue for transplants, produce specialized ocular biologic therapies, and support ophthalmic research, education, and surgical training. The upgraded facility will also position the eye bank to adopt emerging technologies advancing vision care.
"Lions have been leaders in the fight against blindness for more than a century, and we are deeply grateful to Lions Clubs International Foundation for helping make this Vision Grant possible," said Elizabeth Fisher, District Governor for Lions District 35-N. "This grant reflects the dedication of Lions throughout District 35-N and across our region to improving lives through sight."
Beauty of Sight, formerly known as the Florida Lions Eye Bank, has served patients and physicians for more than six decades and is currently located within Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, the top-ranked eye hospital in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report. The organization's new laboratory, located nearby on the medical campus, will allow expansion while maintaining collaboration with Bascom Palmer.
"This grant represents a powerful investment in the future of vision care," said Elizabeth Fout, Executive Director of Beauty of Sight. "With LCIF's support and the dedication of Lions throughout our district, we will be able to enhance our laboratory capabilities, expand our services throughout Florida, and ultimately serve more patients who rely on sight-restoring treatments."
The laboratory expansion is part of Beauty of Sight's strategic initiative to prepare for emerging technologies, therapies, and innovations transforming the role of eye banks in ophthalmic care. "This investment in our new laboratory ensures that the organization remains positioned to support emerging technologies and therapies that are shaping the future of eye banking and ophthalmic care," said Joel Levenston, PVDG, President of the Board of Beauty of Sight.
Through continued partnership among Lions Clubs International Foundation, Lions District 35-N, and Beauty of Sight, this project strengthens the region's ability to provide sight-saving care and expand access to advanced treatments. These efforts help ensure more individuals facing vision loss have access to treatments and technologies that can restore sight and improve quality of life. For more information about the organization's work, visit https://www.beautyofsight.org.
