Mission and Legacy
Founded in 1972, the Utah Lions Eye Bank (ULEB) has spent more than five decades restoring vision and advancing eye health across the region. Serving Utah, Idaho, Eastern Nevada, and Western Wyoming, ULEB partners with surgeons, researchers, and donor families to provide corneal tissue for life-changing transplantation.
Built on compassion, service, and innovation, ULEB’s mission extends beyond transplantation, supporting research that advances treatment for complex eye diseases and strengthens the future of vision care.
In 2022, ULEB celebrated its 50-year anniversary by welcoming donor families, transplant recipients, and ophthalmologists to its facility for a community celebration. The event provided an opportunity to personally thank donor families, highlight the life-changing impact of donation, and offer an inside look at ULEB’s state-of-the-art recovery and processing operations — a reflection of its commitment to transparency and stewardship.
History & Regional Impact
Founded by members of Lions Clubs International, ULEB was established with a vision to expand access to corneal transplantation and promote eye donation awareness.
Over the years, the organization has facilitated thousands of grafts, improving the quality of life for individuals facing vision loss. From its early beginnings to its current role as a regional leader in eye banking, ULEB continues to provide essential resources for treating complex corneal conditions, including keratoconus, corneal scarring, and other sight-threatening diseases.
ULEB partners with DonorConnect in supporting the Celebration of Life Monument, a tribute honoring organ and tissue donors and the lives transformed through donation.
Leadership Recognition
In recognition of his commitment to advancing eye banking and the gift of sight, ULEB’s Executive Director, Chris Hanna, received the 2026 Heise Award — one of the most esteemed honors in the field. Under his leadership, ULEB has strengthened clinical partnerships, elevated donor family stewardship, and expanded research collaborations that continue to transform lives.
Research & Clinical Collaboration
ULEB works closely with leading research institutions, including the John A. Moran Eye Center, consistently ranked among the top 10 eye centers in the United States.
Through its partnerships with leading researchers, ULEB supports cutting‑edge scientific advancement. The Moran and affiliated researchers’ areas of focus include blinding diseases such as age‑related macular degeneration and other serious ocular conditions. Research utilizing ultra-fresh whole eyes recovered by ULEB in under five hours has contributed to significant findings, including published work in Science Advances on retinal ischemic injury recovery.
Learn more about this research in Science Advances: Healing of ischemic injury in the retina | Science Advances
This integration of clinical transplantation and scientific discovery positions ULEB as a critical contributor to both patient care and innovation.
Community & Public Engagement
As a nonprofit organization, ULEB remains deeply embedded in its community. The Eye Bank actively raises awareness about eye donation through outreach initiatives, public events, and storytelling that connects donor families and recipients.
Recent media coverage from FOX 13 and KUTV highlights the powerful impact of corneal donation — restoring not only vision, but renewed purpose and hope.
Watch the Fox 13 feature
Watch the KUTV story
