Midwest Eye-Banks is comprised of the Illinois Eye-Bank, founded in 1947, the Illinois Eye-Bank, Watson Gailey, founded in 1952, the Michigan Eye-Bank, founded in 1957 and the Lions Eye Bank of New Jersey, founded in 1970. The organization was born when, in 1985, the scope of the Michigan Eye-Bank’s interest was expanded to include the recovery of other tissue in addition to eyes. It was incorporated under the name "Midwest Eye-Banks and Tranaplantation Center", and a new chapter began.

In the same year it was founded, Midwest Eye-Banks assumed responsibility for operation of the Illinois Eye-Bank in Chicago, at the request of the Chicago Ophthalmological Society. Eleven years later, in 1996, The BroMenn-Watson Gailey Eye-Bank in Normal, IL affiliated with Midwest Eye-Banks. In 2002, the BroMenn-Watson Gailey Eye-Bank relocated to a new facility in Bloomington and became known as the Illinois Eye-Bank, Watson Gailey.

The need for a more logical identity led Midwest Eye-Banks to drop "and Transplantation Center" from its name in 2004. At the same time, a graphic identity was developed for Midwest and each of its divisions.

The Lions Eye Bank of New Jersey joined Midwest Eye-Banks in 2005 as a subsidiary.

Midwest Eye-Banks, and each of its divisions and subsidiaries, has a proud history. Time has passed, but our commitment to sight restoration remains the same.