Minnesota Lions Vision Foundation

Your support restores sight and helps the blind and visually impaired. 

Blindness and sight issues can impact people of all ages. The Minnesota Lions Vision Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports the Lions Gift of Sight eye bank, Lions Children's Eye Clinic, Macular Degeneration Center, Lions Advanced Retinal Imaging Center, Minnesota Lions Eye Surgery Center, ophthalmology research and used eyeglass collection.

“Try to imagine how you would feel if you were suddenly stricken blind today. Picture yourself stumbling and groping at noonday as in the night—your work, your independence, gone.” - Helen Keller

About the Lions Gift of Sight

Part of the University of Minnesota's Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, the Lions Gift of Sight eye bank helps restore sight by providing donated eye tissue for transplant and research. It also provides education about donation to students, professionals, community groups and the public. Lions Gift of Sight is supported by the Minnesota Lions Vision Foundation and has restored sight for more than sixty years.  In 2024, it provided 2,353 corneas for transplant and 1,772 eyes for research.

Cornea transplants significantly change the lives of patients suffering from corneal disease, corneal infections, irreparable trauma to the cornea, chemical burns and congenital defects of the cornea. More than 40,000 Americans need cornea transplants every year.

Thanks to eye donors and their families, scientists and educators learn more about diseases like macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. They are able to develop new medications and identify sight-saving treatments and cures. Surgeons depend on donor eye tissue to develop new surgical techniques and practice and perfect eye surgeries. 

Ways to Get Involved

• Make a financial donation today in any amount to support our critical work restoring sight.
• Support our programs in the future by committing to donate your organs, tissues and eyes. 
  
  
  • Mark “yes” to be a donor on your driver’s license.
  • Sign up to be a donor online - it only takes a minute. 
  • Carry a donor card.
  • Prepare a healthcare directive that states your eye, organ and tissue donation wishes.
  • Tell your family and friends about your donation wishes.