Supporting Research to Study the Human Lens
The Eye Bank continues its support of efforts to understand the human eye lens - a mysterious and miraculous tissue inside the eye that allows us to view a distant sunrise and the fine print on a medicine bottle.  At the Ophthalmic Biophysics Laboratory, research to solve the puzzle of the human lens continues on many fronts.  The goal of this worldwide effort is so that one day it will be possible to replace or repair the lens and, perhaps, to toss out your reading glasses.  Thanks to funding and many donated eyes from the Florida Lions Eye Bank, advances are being made.
The Elusive Lens
Why does the human lens present so many vexing questions? First, the tiny lens is transparent and located inside the eye.  It cannot be viewed or measured directly.  In addition, it is constantly changing shape and density, effected both by outside forces and its own ability to redistribute fluids.  In previous annual reports (2002, 2003) research projects were reviewed regarding the discovery of microscopic aberrations in the shape and curvature of the lens.   Another study looked at the loss of elasticity in the lens, causing the loss of the ability to focus on near objects and requiring corrective lenses.
How We Help In Research Efforts
The Florida Lions Eye Bank provides both funding and critical eye tissue used in research at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute’s Biophysics Research Center at the William L. McKnight Vision Research Center.  The Eye Bank’s Ocular Pathology Laboratory also adds the base of medical knowledge while helping to train future ophthalmologists.  Over the years, the Eye Bank’s has participated in numerous breakthroughs in the areas of biophysics, molecular biosciences and biomedical technology, as well as the development and invention of numerous ophthalmic instruments.
Promoting advances in cornea transplantation
The Florida Lions Eye Bank has played a major role in the development of new techniques and instrumentation that make cornea transplants safer for patients.  Recent examples are:
  • The invention of instruments known as "trephines," which are used to cut donor and recipient tissues.
     
  • Diamond knives used in cornea surgery.
     
  • New storage solutions to prolong the viability of donor corneas prior to transplantation.
The Importance of Research
The future of ophthalmology lies in the creation of new knowledge and technology and its rapid translation into the clinic to help eye patients.  The Florida Lions Eye bank has always generously supported scientists and researchers as they work to conquer eye disease, prevent blindness and improve quality of life.