SightLife

SightLife is an eye bank, a non-profit organization that obtains, medically evaluates and distributes corneas donated by individuals for use in corneal transplantation, research, and education. Since 2009 it has been the leading eye bank in the United States. SightLife provides volunteer services in India, Paraguay and Nepal.[1] In August 2022, SightLife was acquired by Lions Eye Institute. The combined company will be the largest eye bank, tissue recovery and ocular research center in the world with nearly 300 employees.[2]

Description

SightLife provides tools, training, and resources to eye banks to help them develop the capacity to serve the needs of the corneal blind. It was founded in 1969 in Seattle as the Northwest Lions Eye Bank.[3] By 2009, SightLife had become the leading U.S. eye bank, and it began its planned international expansion.[3]

SightLife maintains relationships with donor families and recipients. They provide resources to educate and help them through the process of donation or transplantation. They also allow donor families and recipients to tell their stories. On average, about 65 percent of families consent to donation after receiving information and counseling about eye donation.[4] In 2018, SightLife acquired Karma Inlay, a corneal inlay technology, from AcuFocus for an undisclosed amount.[5]

Accreditation
  • Accredited by the Eye Bank Association of America.[6]
  • Registered with the Food & Drug Administration.[7]

Recognition
  • Best Nonprofits to Work For, Nonprofit Times, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010[8][9]
  • Non-Profit of the Year, South Lake Union Chamber of Commerce, 2012
  • 100 Best Companies to Work For, Seattle Business Magazine, 2012, 2008, 2007
  • Leaders in Health Care: Outstanding Global Health Organization, Seattle Business Magazine, February 2011 — Runner-Up
  • Donor Designation Medal of Honor, Donate Life America, 2010
  • Washington's Best Workplaces, Puget Sound Business Journal, 2010, 2007
  • Cornea Collaborative 2007-2009, Eye Bank Association of America, First Place: Conversion Rate, Second Place: Death to Release
  • Distinguished Service Award, Lions Multiple District 19 B, 2007-2008
  • Evergreen Award, Washington State Nonprofit Conference, April 1, 2004
  • Export Achievement Certificate, United States Department of Commerce, November 20, 2003

References
  1. "Seattle nonprofit brings vision to India". Puget Sound Business Journal. October 14, 2011. Archived from the original on 17 October 2011.
  2. Hutton, David (11 August 2022). "Lions Eye Institute acquires SightLife". Ophthalmology Times.
  3. Norton, Lisa (2012). So You Want to Be a Global Nonprofit?: Legal and Practical Guidance for International Activities (PDF). Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley. p. 13. ISBN 978-1-118-45222-6. Since it began operating in 1969 (initially as the Northwest Lions Eye Bank), SightLife has provided corneal tissue for transplant throughout the western United States.
  4. Mallikarjun, Y. (22 September 2010). "US firm to help eliminate corneal blindness by 2025". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 26 September 2010.
  5. Densford, Fink (9 March 2018). "SightLife Surgical to acquire AcuFocus Kamra corneal inlay". MassDevice.
  6. "Eye Bank Association of America's Accreditation Status List : Current as of June 2012 - Public" (PDF). Restoresight.org. Retrieved 2013-09-16.
  7. "U S Food and Drug Administration Home Page". Fda.gov. Retrieved 2013-09-15.
  8. McNamara, Don (1 April 2012). "50 Best Nonprofits To Work For In 2012" (PDF). The NonProfit Times. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 June 2014.
  9. Morton, Gary (1 April 2013). "50 Best Nonprofits To Work For In 2013" (PDF). The NonProfit Times. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 April 2013.

Further reading
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