“Corneal blindness is one of the top four causes of blindness in the world. The situation in the Philippines is no different. This form of blindness may be caused by infections, accidents, congenital defects, surgical trauma, and many others. It may affect people of all ages from all walks of life.
Since 1995 the EBFP, through its medical eye bank known as the Santa Lucia International Eye Bank of Manila (SLIEB), has brought hope and renewed life to thousands of blind individuals through corneal transplants. Collective known simply as the Eye Bank, the EBFP/SLIEB continues to serve the nation and the world, not only by making the highest quality transplantable eye tissue available and accessible, but also through research, training, and public educational campaigns about blindness, its prevention and cure.
You too can be part of this vital work, change lives and literally become a hero for others simply by deciding to sign a donor card pledging your eyes or corneas after death; and by encouraging friends and family members to do the same. Should you have any questions or should you wish to help us in other ways, do please contact the Eye Bank through our numbers.
We hope you make the decision to share the gift of sight. This simple yet profoundly noble act not only leaves a legacy for you and your loved ones; it literally enables you to be part of a miracle for someone blind”.
The Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines (EBFP), established on October 16, 1995, is a non-profit, non-government, humanitarian organization that owns and operates a medical eye bank named the Santa Lucia International Eye Bank of Manila (SLIEB).
The SLIEB is a state-of-the-art eye, internationally-accredited eye banking facility dedicated to the collection, processing, evaluation, storage and equitable distribution of quality corneal/eye tissues for transplant, research and education. It is committed to its mission of bringing the gift of sight to corneally blind individuals through corneal transplants, regardless of age, gender, race, religion or financial status.
The EBFP is an accredited non-profit, non-government organization member of the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC), and therefore all donations to the EBFP are tax deductible under Philippine Law.
The foundation employs highly skilled and specially trained individuals such as Registered Nurses and Medical Technologists as Eye Bank Technicians and Donor Transplant Coordinators. Registered social workers are also an integral part of the roster of eye bank employees.
To date, the Eye Bank has forged many partnerships to help it fulfill its mission. Among its partners are: the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Department of Health – Philippine Network for Organ Sharing, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, leading medical institutions such as St. Luke’s Medical Center, Makati Medical Center, Philippine General Hospital, leading funeral homes such as Arlington Memorial Chapels and Crematory, Loyola Funeral Homes, Ayala Foundation, ABS-CBN and various organizations in Metro Manila and neighboring regions. In cooperation with these invaluable partners, the Eye Bank is able to help uplift lives all over the country as well as in various parts of the world where corneal blindness is a major problem.
The Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines is committed to transforming lives through restoring sight and setting the highest standards in international eye banking.
To be a recognized world leader in international eye banking and sight restoration.
The Eye Bank of the Philippines believes in:
Compassion for Humanity
Commitment to Service
Passion for Excellence
Innovation and continuous learning
To increase the number of eye & corneal donations in the Philippines through public education, advocacy campaigns, and cooperation with various individuals, groups & government institutions. To bring the level of eye and cornea donation to the point where the present & future needs for corneal transplantation can be fully met.
Together with the Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology, to improve the quality of corneal transplant surgery in the Philippines in order to give our blind countrymen the best chance for sight.
We, at the Santa Lucia Eye Bank of Manila (SLIEBM), are committed to meet the highest international ocular tissue and safety standard requirements in harvesting, processing, and distribution of ocular tissue.
To maintain our position as one of the leading eye banks in the world and to satisfy our clients, we believe that adhering to internationally accepted best practices of quality management system like the ISO 9001 standards is one of the best means of attaining optimal levels of quality.
Aligned with SLIEBM’s mission, vision, and core values, we will continuously improve the effectiveness of our quality management system.
Prepared and updated:
Community Relations Section
21 October, 2019