A storied history of vision care
Deaf and blind from an early age, Helen Keller emerged as an outspoken activist, championing vision care for much of her life. In 1925, Helen Keller boldly called upon Lions to serve as Knights of the Blind — and Lions answered the call. Today, her influence still resonates loudly, as Lions continue to expand their vision service all over the world.
In 1990, Lions International introduced SightFirst, a program that enabled Lions, health care providers and partner organizations around the world to fight the major causes of preventable and reversible blindness and assist those who were blind or visually impaired. More than 544 million people have been impacted by vision service projects thanks to SightFirst Grants, and Lions continue to serve the blind and visually impaired.
Programs
Get your club involved in a handful of ongoing vision programs and see how your service will help achieve the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.
LIONS KIDSIGHT
Lions KidSight provides vision screening and referral services to youth starting at the age of six months. These screening services are vital in ensuring youth receive early intervention and necessary eye care.
VISION SCREENING
Eighty percent of all visual impairment can be prevented or cured. The first step to prevention is awareness. The second is early detection through vision screening. Around the world, Lions partner with medical professionals and community leaders to screen young children, primary school students and adults to identify those at risk for vision loss.
LIONS EYE BANKS
Eye banks recover, evaluate, store and distribute human eye tissue for vision restoration, research and education. Eye surgeons rely on eye banks to supply them with tissue for sight-saving procedures. A Lions eye bank is sponsored by a Lions club, district or multiple district and has an established working relationship with a medical facility.
EYEGLASS RECYCLING
Refractive errors can be easily corrected with eyeglasses, yet millions living in low- and middle-income countries lack access to basic eye care services. Lions have recognized the urgent need for corrective lenses and collect usable glasses in their communities to support eyeglass recycling.
LCIF grants
VISION GRANT
The LCIF Vision Grant supports Lion-led service activities that fight blindness and preventable vision loss and/or assist people who are blind and visually impaired in underserved communities.
DISTRICT & CLUB COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT
Through the DCG Program, 15% of unrestricted contributions to LCIF are transformed into grants that fund local projects on a club and/or district level.
Recent vision grants
From July 2025 to August 2025, LCIF has awarded 34 vision-related grants totaling US$2,001,458. View the report.
Partners in vision
Our vision-focused services include developing and enhancing eye care systems, providing treatments and distributing medications to those at high risk for eye diseases. Our partners are essential to our success, offering expertise and resources. A few of our vision partners include:
The Carter Center
Sight For Kids
SightFirst China Action
World Health Organization
Special Olympics
Stories
A brighter tomorrow
Vision impacts all ages
More than 2 billion adults and children worldwide have a near or distance vision impairment.* Vision plays a vital role in every stage and moment of our lives. Without healthy vision people struggle to learn, walk, read and participate in school or work.
Ever since Helen Keller inspired Lions to champion the cause in 1925, Lions have served and advocated for the blind and visually impaired. A century later, this long-standing mission continues unhindered.
*World Health Organization
**The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness
2.2 billion
People with a near
or distance vision
impairment*
1 billion
Cases of vision impairment that could have been prevented with proper eye care*
450 million
Children with a sight condition that needs treatment**
4x higher
The prevalence of distance vision impairment in low- and middle-income regions*
LCIF: Stories of Pride
Behind every LCIF grant, there’s a story filled with inspiration, impact and kindness. View those vision stories today!
Educate your club
Use these helpful tools to learn more about vision, educate your community, or plan your next vision service project.
