Our Story
Preventing blindness and preserving sight since 1965

Our journey began in 1965 when the Australian Foundation for the Prevention of Blindness (Queensland Division) was incorporated. Our goal back then was the same as it is today - to prevent blindness and preserve sight.

Dr John Ohlrich was the driving force in establishing the Foundation and provided excellent leadership and guidance for many years. Our library and boardroom area is named in his honour.

Under the auspices of the Prevent Blindness Foundation, and with the generous financial assistance of supporters such as: Mr Charles Viertel OBE, Optical Prescription Spectacle Makers, the Royal Australian College of Ophthalmologists, Lions International, and Perpetual Trustees, the University of Queensland Chair of Ophthalmology was established at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in 1986.

In 1986 Professor Lawrence Hirst was appointed Chairman and Executive Director of the Foundation.

In 1991 the name of the Foundation was changed to the Prevent Blindness Foundation (PBF).

In 1992 under the guidance of Professor Hirst, the Queensland Eye Bank was opened at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. This worldclass Eye Bank has provided thousands of corneas to patients who have lost their sight.

In 2002 Mr Des Hancock was appointed Chairman of PBF and continues to lead the Foundation today. Fundraising began in earnest to build an academic eye institute for Queensland.

After many years of tenacious hardwork and determined effort, The Queensland Eye Institute was officially opened on 30th June 2005 by the Queensland Minister for Health. This was the realisation of a dream shared by many people. The Institute, located at the Mater Hospital in South Brisbane, houses the clinical rooms, the research laboratories, the medical library, the professional training centre and auditorium and the administration offices of the Prevent Blindness Foundation. This state-of-the-art facility is the result of the efforts of many people who had a vision for Queensland, in particular the Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation.

The Prevent Blindness Foundation, through the generous support of the community, provides the on-going funding for the Queensland Eye Institute.

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