Jose Raul Perez-Estrada, PhD, from Miami Awarded $90,000 Knights Templar Eye Foundation Grant for The Metabolic Paradigm in Eye Development and Regeneration
Jose Raul Perez-Estrada, PhD, from Miami Awarded $90,000 Knights Templar Eye Foundation Grant for The Metabolic Paradigm in Eye Development and Regeneration

In Greek mythology, an example of regeneration is the Lernean Hydra, a giant water snake-like monster with nine heads, that regenerated each head when cut off. In recent times, the best example of a fictional regeneration figure is Wolverine, a superhero in X-Men comics. Wolverine’s superpower is not to control minds or the ability to shoot rays; his superpower is too simple: to be able to heal and regenerate fast. Thus, regeneration makes Hydra and Wolverine almost immortal beings that do not develop diseases. Newts are animals that, like Hydra, can form a new structure of the eye after being cut off and heal their eye after an injury, just like Wolverine does. Thus, by studying newts, Dr. Perez-Estrada could learn from their regenerative superpower and apply it to humans to cure diseases.

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Brandon Mullins
Jose Ronaldo Lima de Carvalho Jr., MD, from University of Pennsylvania Awarded $90,000 Knights Templar Eye Foundation Grant for Research Into Blinding Diseases Which Affect Children Under 10
Jose Ronaldo Lima de Carvalho Jr., MD, from University of Pennsylvania Awarded $90,000 Knights Templar Eye Foundation Grant for Research Into Blinding Diseases Which Affect Children Under 10

Autosomal dominant optic atrophy and cataracts (ADOAC) or 3-Methylglutaconic aciduria type III (MGA3), also knownas Costeff syndrome, are caused by mutations in the OPA3 gene. Affected patients present with an early onset complex blinding disease, typically before the age of five for MGA3 and around 10-year-old for ADOAC, characterized by optic atrophy along with other symptoms such as peripheral neuropathy, cognitive impairment, and dysmotility. There currently is no treatment for these devastating diseases. Lima de Carvalho’s long-term goal is to work on both gene therapy and drug screening to prevent blindness and reduce morbidity in affected infants.

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Brandon Mullins
Meha Kabra, PhD, from University of Wisconsin Awarded $90,000 Knights Templar Eye Foundation Grant for Congenital Stationary Night Blindness Treatment Research
Meha Kabra, PhD, from University of Wisconsin Awarded $90,000 Knights Templar Eye Foundation Grant for Congenital Stationary Night Blindness Treatment Research

Dr. Kabra’s approach will answer several important questions: 1) Can genome editors correct gene mutations precisely? 2) Does gene correction restore the channel function? 3) Is biallelic editing necessary for the channel function? 4) Can PRs be efficiently targeted intravitreally? 5) What would be the long-term off-target effect of CRISPR AAVs?

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Brandon Mullins
Children's Eye Foundation Transitions SIBA Program to Telemedicine Model to Create Self-Sustaining ROP Treatment Network in Africa
Children's Eye Foundation Transitions SIBA Program to Telemedicine Model to Create Self-Sustaining ROP Treatment Network in Africa

Every year, thousands of newborn babies in sub-Saharan Africa face preventable blindness from ROP, a condition that develops when premature infants receive unregulated oxygen in neonatal intensive care units. While developed countries have virtually eliminated ROP blindness through proper screening and treatment, many African nations lack the necessary infrastructure and trained personnel.

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Brandon Mullins
A Decades-Long Campaign to Protect Sight
A Decades-Long Campaign to Protect Sight

It is 30 years since the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. (KTEF) joined the American Academy of Ophthalmology in a journey to improve the vision care of patients both across the United States and around the globe, said Academy CEO Stephen D. McLeod, MD. “At the Academy’s 2025 annual meeting we honor its steadfast commitment to supporting the care so many patients need today, and its foresight in supporting innovative educational programs that help the patients of tomorrow.”

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Brandon Mullins
58th Voluntary Campaign
58th Voluntary Campaign

Most Eminent Grand Master, Right Eminent Grand Officers and Sir Knights all, what a great year we had during the 57th Voluntary Campaign. Contributions for awards totaled $1,877,594.49. That is an increase of over 16%! The total amount received, including Trusts and Wills, topped out at $8,698,115.20, an increase of $337,648.88.

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Brandon Mullins