History & Corporate Structure

History

In 1975 the Lions Save Sight Foundation established the Lions Chair in Ophthalmology at the University of Western Australia to foster and co-ordinate research into blinding eye diseases and conditions. After a worldwide search, Professor Ian Constable, an Australian working at the Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA was appointed to this position which he still holds today.  

Professor Constable’s initial  clinical and research team was based at Royal Perth Hospital. In 1983 and following the progressive development of this team, it relocated to the grounds of Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and the Lions Eye Institute was established.

Since then clinical facilities, new equipment and research laboratories have been strategically commissioned to support Lions Eye Institute’s core activities, including provision of:

  • World leading research and technical development to prevent or cure blindness;
  • International quality specialist ophthalmic services to patients;
  • Highest quality teaching of the science and medical skills;  and
  • Community service aimed at early detection and prevention of blinding eye disease.

In 1995 construction of the purpose-built Lions Eye Institute Research Laboratory Building was completed, greatly increasing LEI’s capacity to carry out its vital research.

Today LEI employs 150 scientists, clinicians and support staff and incorporates Australia's largest eye medical practice. It also houses the Lions Eye Bank, Western Australia's only donor eye tissue facility, and the Lions Save-Sight Foundation.

The Institute maintains a close relationship with the University of Western Australia with which it formed the Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science (COVS) in 1994. COVS has independent University status within the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.

Long standing and mutually beneficial affiliations with Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Royal Perth Hospital and Fremantle Hospital have also developed. LEI’s clinical ophthalmological staff provide the majority of all consultant sessions to each of these teaching public hospitals.

LEI remains committed to the community it serves and regularly undertakes free eye screenings and community health education seminars. It supports activities undertaken by other community based organisations including Glaucoma Australia, Retinitis Pigmentosa Society of Western Australia, Macular Degeneration Foundation and the Australian Foundation for the Prevention of Blindness.

The Institute has long maintained its support for other communities in the Asia Pacific region with particular emphasis in Indonesia where an estimated two million people are blind. With seventy per cent of blindness due to Cataract, 1.3 million people are needlessly blind yet a simple, low cost, low risk operation could restore their sight. Blindness has a devastating impact on the economic welfare of these communities and it is this inaccessibility to eye care which firmed LEI’s collaborative efforts in Indonesia.

Patrons

LEI is proud to have earned the support of its three founding Patrons, Sir James Cruthers, Sir James McCusker (deceased) and Mr W.R.A.Wyllie AM (deceased).  Sir James Cruthers continues his active Patron role today.

Governance and Corporate Structure

In 2003 Lions Eye Institute revised its basis of incorporation from a public benevolent charitable institution to a not-for-profit limited liability company.

Directors to the Board are:

  • Mr John Atkins: Senior Partner, Freehills, Director, Alinta Infrastructure Holdings Ltd, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA, Committee for Perth, and Presbyterian College Council. Mr Atkins is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors 
  • Mr William Bloking:  President, Australia/Asia Gas, BHP Billiton Petroleum, Director, of BHP Billiton Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd, and BHP Billiton Petroleum (North West Shelf) Pty Ltd.  He is also Governor of the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia and Director, National VP and VP WA Branch of the Australia China Business Council 
  • Rudolf Brunovs: Partner, Ernst & Young, Director of Perth Home Care Services and Workpower Inc.  He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Australian Society of CPA's and the Australian Institute of Company Directors
  • Professor Ian Constable AO
  • Ms Michelle Dolin: Director and Chief Executive Officer, Government Employee's Superannuation Board, and Director of the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia.  Ms Dolin is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Australian Institute of Management and Australian Institute of Finance and Banking and is Pro-Chancellor, Curtin University and member of Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee in WA 
  • Mr David Eiszele: Chairman of LEI Board, Chairman, Global Carbon, Director of Pearl Street Energy and council member AICD (WA Division) 
  • Mr Brian King AM MBE, Immediate past-Chairman

Professor Constable is supported in his role as Managing Director by the executive management team:

  • Associate Professor Ian McAllister, Director Surgical Services
  • Professor Elizabeth Rakoczy, Director of Research
  • Helen Rowe Director of Development 
  • Chee-Peng Yao, Chief Financial Officer
  • Yassin Lutta, Head of Information Technology and Communications