In 1955, Iowa Lions Eye Bank was established in a small office at University of Iowa Health Care. For the past 70 years, ILEB staffers have worked tirelessly to restore and preserve sight.
On Saturday, September 13, 2025, that legacy was celebrated during the Strikes for Sight fundraiser at Colonial Lanes in Iowa City.
Attendees included a man who gave his late wife’s corneas so that others could see, grateful family members of a transplant recipient, a corneal surgeon who’s restored vision with his own hands, and Iowa Lions, whose support has spanned generations.
As music from the 1950s courtesy of Star Entertainment filled the air, guests bowled, played miniature golf, and enjoyed complimentary food and drinks.
Perhaps the most eye-opening moment came during the seventh frame. That’s when participants were handed glasses that resembled 3D spectacles and asked to don them and bowl. Suddenly, everything blurred. The lane became a foggy tunnel, and the pins dissolved into a soft haze. It was a powerful simulation of Fuchs Dystrophy, a degenerative corneal disorder that leads to corneal blindness.
Over in the minigolf area, when they reached the seventh and 17th hole, attendees again donned the special glasses to attempt golfing with a simulated case of Fuchs Dystrophy.
Iowa Lions Eye Bank is deeply grateful to everyone who attended, shared their stories, and supported the event. Thanks to their generosity, funds raised will help sustain Iowa Lions Eye Bank’s vital operations, ensuring that sight-saving work continues for decades to come.
This event was made possible by a dedicated group of sponsors and supporters, including the West Branch Lions, Wolfe Eye Clinic, Yeager Ocular Prosthetics, Riverside Casino, the University of Iowa Center for Advancement, Dr. Mark Greiner, George Rickey, Beth Kirkevold, and ImpactLife. Special thanks to members of the University of Iowa chapter of Student Organ Donation Advocates (SODA) and ILEB staff for helping make this event a success.
