Contents: History of the Eye Bank| In 1950, the Canadian
Ophthalmological Society (COS) approached the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), then under the directorship of Colonel E.A. Baker, to operate an Eye Bank
registry. Colonel Eddie Baker, who founded the CNIB, stressed that the organization and
legislation of an Eye Bank must come from the COS. The Central Committee of The Blindness
Control of COS met between 1951 to 1955 to make recommendations regarding the
establishment of an Eye Bank. In 1955, Canada’s first eye bank was established as a joint project between the COS and the CNIB, which provided financial and volunteer aid. The Eye Bank of Canada (Ontario Division), under the directorship of Dr. Hugh Ormsby, a COS member, was inaugurated in the Department of Ophthalmology, the University of Toronto at the Banting Institute. In November of 1955, the Eye Bank received it’s first pair of donated eyes, retrieved by Dr. John Piper, from Stratford General Hospital. These eyes were accepted and processed by Mrs. Anne Wolf, the Eye Bank’s first administrator. Dr. Hugh Ormsby performed two surgeries with the donated corneas and restored the sight of two soldiers blinded by chemical warfare in World War I. Mrs. Ann Wolf’s role quickly expanded to campaigning for eye donations. At the time, Ann Wolf struggled against misconceptions and abhorrance of organ and tissue donation. However, her perseverance, courage and belief in the Eye Bank’s worthy service turned the tide of contempt for donation. Her work was certainly instrumental in the acceptance of eye donations. Since her crusade began in 1955, there have been over 40,000 eyes donated to the Eye Bank and over 20,000 of those eyes were issued for sight-restoring surgeries (see Figure below). |
Mrs.Wolf receiving the first pair of donor eyes for the Eye Bank, 1955
Early corneal transplant surgery, circa 19?? |
Current StatusToday the Eye Bank of Canada has grown tremendously from its auspicious beginnings. Over 200 eyes are now donated each and every month and over 100 sight-restoring surgeries every month are made possible through eye donations. In 1996, The Eye Bank of Canada (Ontario Division) was ranked as the third most successful Eye Bank in North America in receiving donated eyes.
The Eye Bank remains a joint effort between the CNIB and the University of Toronto. The University administers an annual operating grant from the Ministry of Health, provides laboratory facilities at the St. George campus, and contributes the necessary medical and scientific expertise. The CNIB (Ontario Division), under the auspices of the Rehabilitation department, augments the Eye Bank’s endeavours to promote eye donations and attends to the financial costs of transportation of eyes to and from the Eye Bank as well as mailing services.
The staff from hospitals throughout Ontario now participating enthusiastically in the eye donor program. The Eye Bank provides surgical tissue to over 11 hospitals in metro Toronto, and 6 more throughout the province. In times of need, the Eye Bank also offers tissue to the other Canadian Eye Banks.
The rapid growth and development of The Eye Bank of Canada (Ontario Division) could not have been sustained if not for the unceasing support of many organizations throughout the province. The Lion’s Clubs of Ontario have long since been part of Eye Bank history. Volunteer members of Lions clubs throughout the province have established a relay system for the expedient transportation of donated eyes from hospitals to the Eye Bank. In addition, various Lions and Lioness’ clubs generously make financial contributions for Eye Bank equipment, supplies and promotional material.
Location |
The Eye Bank is located on the University of Toronto campus at 1 Spadina Crescent. |
Personnel| Medical Director | David Rootman MD, FRCS(C) | |
| Medical Co-director | William Dixon MD, FRCS(C) | |
| Manager | Fides Coloma MSc, RN, CEBT | |
| Head Technician | Syed Hassany MSc, CEBT | |
| Technicians | Stan Niewojt | |
| Diane Wiltshire CEBT | ||
| Lorna Zilic CEBT | ||
| Secretary | Judy Cardwell |
