Akron Children’s receives $2 million from Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.
10-12-2026 (Akron, Ohio)
Akron Children’s has received a $2 million research endowment from the Knights Templar Eye Foundation (KTEF) to expand its research in pediatric eye disorders. In tandem with the foundation’s philanthropic support, Akron Children’s will match the gift with an additional $2 million for a total of $4 million.
Researchers, led by Dr. Faruk H. Örge, the Dr. Boomer and Jill Burnstine Endowed Chair in Pediatric Ophthalmology at Akron Children’s, will use the funding to build upon their work studying eye movements and pupil reactions, particularly in patients with nystagmus.
“Nystagmus is a complex ocular motor disorder that remains poorly understood,” said Dr. Örge. “It can significantly impact vision, learning and quality of life.”
The KTEF funding will help expand the research in Akron Children’s already top-of-class eye movement recording lab, which has a database of more than 18,000 eye movement recordings (EMRs), the largest collection of its kind globally.
“By recording and studying the eye movements and pupil reactions of patients and matching them with brain wave algorithms, we hope to unlock new truths about the brain that could lead to better understanding of a number of vision and neurological conditions affecting children,” Dr. Örge said.
“Think about babies or nonverbal patients,” Dr. Örge continued. “I have no idea what they are thinking or which part of the brain is working when I am showing them a visual stimulus. Being able to unlock this mystery opens a whole new door for us. The eyes really are a window to the brain and the entire body.”
Dr. Örge, an influential researcher in pediatric ophthalmology who joined Akron Children’s in 2025, builds upon the work of his predecessor. Dr. Richard Hertle was internationally known for his expertise in nystagmus and patients began coming to Akron Children’s from around the world for this specialized care beginning in 2010.
This wealth of information in the EMR lab is already allowing Dr. Örge’s team to distinguish different types of nystagmus, and how various therapies like surgery, medication or contact lenses may be able to help patients.
KTEF funds will allow Akron Children’s to hire a full-time expert in functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a portable, non-invasive imaging technique that measures brain activity by tracking changes in blood oxygenation levels in the outer layer of the brain.
In the research, Akron Children’s will partner with the Cleveland Clinic’s Neurosciences Lab and Cleveland State University, where two doctoral candidates with expertise in AI and deep learning algorithms will join the research team.
“The Knights Templar Eye Foundation was formed decades ago with the mission to prevent blindness in children,” said Dr. Örge. “They have been a big proponent of every effort we have taken in this area. The KTEF research endowment is one of their biggest gifts and we are honored to receive it. It will help us take our research to the next level.”
###
About Knights Templar Eye Foundation (KTEF)
The Knights Templar Eye Foundation is a 501(c)3 charity sponsored by the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar. Incorporated in 1956, the foundation is headquartered in Flower Mound, Texas. Its mission is to improve vision through research, education, and supporting access to care. To date, the foundation has provided more than $190 million of assistance in research, patient care, and education and has provided $18 million in endowed professorships and research endowments at leading medical institutions across the country. Learn more at ktef.org
Akron Children’s is an independent, nonprofit pediatric health care system that has been caring for children since 1890. With two hospital campuses, eight regional health centers and more than 50 primary and specialty care locations throughout Ohio, it is the only health care system in northeast Ohio fully dedicated to pediatric care. Its vast network of Akron Children’s Pediatrics offices offers convenient access to expert pediatric primary care for patients from infancy through young adulthood. From School-Based Health Care to Quick Care Online virtual visits and Akron Children’s Mother and Baby app, Akron Children’s makes it easy for today’s busy families to find the high-quality care they need. In 2025, the health care system provided nearly 1.6 million patient encounters and employed more than 7,496 employees. Learn more at akronchildrens.org.
