In 1994, local Lions Clubs determined that an eye bank was needed to serve the state of North Dakota that would provide corneas for sight-saving transplant surgery. The Lions Eye Bank of North Dakota, located in Bismarck, began operations in 1995. In the first year, LEBND recovered eye tissue from 79 donors and placed 69 corneas for transplant. Since then, the eye bank has established a satellite facility in Fargo to serve the eastern part of the state and have more than doubled the number of corneas we recover and provide each year.

What We Do

• Work with staff at hospitals, home health agencies, and funeral homes to make sure all families are offered the option of eye donation.
• Promote donation in the community. If you are interested in having us give a presentation at your next event or meeting, contact us.
• Obtain consent for donation and recover eye tissue.
• Perform tests and examine medical records to determine if corneas are suitable for transplant.
• Provide corenas for transplant to surgeons in North Dakota. If all local needs are met, corneas are offered to surgeons in other areas of the country and around the world.