The Iowa Lions Eye Bank and Research

Research at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is prevalent and important to the health and well-being of all Iowans, people of the United States, and throughout the world.

General Research and Education

Those families who have so graciously donated their eyes for research are helping improve or restore vision by helping medical professionals find the cause and treatment for eye diseases. As well, some eyes are needed for the purposes of training in which some eyes are used to perfect surgical skills and/or techniques.

Age Related Macular Degeneration

Within the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, in coordination with the Iowa Lions Eye Bank, the Center for Macular Degeneration is working to better understand, and ultimately treat and cure, Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). AMD is the leading cause of blindness in persons over age 60 and there is currently no cure for this devastating eye condition. Researchers at the University of Iowa Center for Macular Degeneration are utilizing human donated eye tissue to understand the pathophysiology and molecular processes that cause macular breakdown with the hopes of finding new and better treatments for people suffering from AMD and to prevent it for future generations.

Persons who have or who have family members with AMD are very important to this research. Please consider being an eye donor.

For more information about AMD, please call the Center for Macular Degeneration at 319-384-9270.

More infomation about the Center for Macular Degeneration.

Other Specific Research Programs

The Iowa Lions Eye Bank is also participating in other specific research programs. If you or your family have a history of abdominal aortic aneurysm or glaucoma, please consider donating your eyes for research.