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

 Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors comprised of six non-executive directors, including the Chairman, and one executive director, being the Managing Director. Directors each give of their expertise and time on a voluntary basis. Professor David Mackey was appointed Managing Director from 1 March 2009.  Professor Ian Constable stepped down from the position of Managing Director on 28 February 2009. The Board provides strategic guidance to Institute management to ensure the quality, efficiency and longevity of our research, clinical, teaching and community activities. The Board and Institute management continued their ongoing implementation and subsequent annual review of the strategic plan introduced to formalise the future direction of the Institute. This plan will assist us in achieving our principal objective of eliminating avoidable blinding eye disease. The Board formally meets eleven times a year and on other occasions as required. It receives regular and detailed financial and operational reports from senior management. Upon request, senior management attend Board meetings, provide briefings and respond to questioning by Directors. An Investment Committee and an Audit & Risk Committee operate to assist the Board to fulfil its obligations.