February 2024

The mission of the Retina Foundation of the Southwest is to prevent vision loss and restore sight through innovative research and treatment for pediatric eye conditions, inherited eye diseases, and age-related macular degeneration.

A Message from Dr. Karl Csaky

We are already halfway through the first quarter and steadily working to achieve the objectives set for 2024. Recently designated an official Spoke in the ARPA-H Customer Experience Hub, the Retina Foundation is capitalizing on the many opportunities for visibility, collaborations and project funding this designation provides.

We are already halfway through the first quarter and steadily working to achieve the objectives set for 2024. Recently designated an official Spoke in the ARPA-H Customer Experience Hub, the Retina Foundation is capitalizing on the many opportunities for visibility, collaborations and project funding this designation provides.

The Eye on Innovation Lecture Series will be held in northwest Arkansas next month, establishing a satellite of supporters in the area in anticipation of an expanded footprint. Our Dallas location is expanding as our clinical center of excellence for inherited retinal diseases is founded, contributing to Dallas’ recognition as a leader in life sciences. I’m energized thinking about the future with these new partnerships and the lives that will be changed.

Neha Tandon is a clinical staff scientist in the Molecular Ophthalmology Laboratory of the Clinical Center of Innovation for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). She is intricately involved in conducting independent clinical research and sponsored research collaborations to improve patient testing and diagnostics. Skilled in molecular and cell biology, she brings over 7 years of scientific research and teaching experience in the academic sector. She is recognized for demonstrating a natural aptitude for optimized research and development.

Dr. Tandon is currently focused on improving visual function testing and diagnosis for patients with AMD. Under the mentorship of Dr. Karl Csaky, she is working on designing more precise and less time-consuming visual field tests for patients with AMD, using the Nidek MP-3 microperimetry device. She is also involved in research and development of visual function testing using Virtual Reality technology in AMD patients. She envisions a future of patient-friendly visual function testing personalized to each individual’s diagnosis and disease stage. Working toward this objective, she seeks answers to questions such as “What is the correlation between visual function loss and the various stages of AMD-associated structural changes of the retina?”.

Having always dreamed of becoming a scientist, Dr. Tandon’s confident and independent nature gave her what she needed to be the first member of her family to leave their native country of India to pursue an advanced degree in the United States. Despite opportunities in New York and California, Neha settled in Texas. During the 3rd semester of her master’s program studying Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease and the Neurobiology of Aging, she was invited to the Ph.D. program there.

Dr. Tandon completed her doctorate in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of Texas at Dallas and took a position assisting with the development and validation of a clinical trial with a clinical reference laboratory/CRO in California. Dr. Tandon notes that she missed the personal interaction with patients and the translational aspect of clinical research. It was not long before she returned to Texas and accepted the clinical appointment at the Retina Foundation.

Tickets Now Available!

Visionary Luncheon

Planning is underway for our 2024 Visionary Luncheon on May 15, cochaired by Bill and Jennifer Voss, pictured above with Dr. Karl Csaky and Amy Johnson. The Honorary Luncheon Chair is Tom Luce. The luncheon is our signature annual event, raising funds and awareness so our worldrenowned scientists and doctors can move forward with groundbreaking research to save vision. Stay tuned for more details!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Members of the Rods & Cones Foresight Circle, our impact society dedicated to supporting the Retina Foundation’s mission, recently gathered for their annual event hosted by James and Elizabeth Berglund (pictured left with Dr. Csaky). Karl Csaky, MD, PhD, Chief Executive & Medical Officer, shared highlights from the past year and his vision for 2024 as the Retina Foundation con􀀚nues to lead the charge to make Dallas a sought-after medical destination. Dr. Csaky also shared his goals for the year, which include raising $3.5 million for exceptional scientists and technology to support the incredible work of our laboratory directors like Dr. Mark Pennesi.

Guests enjoyed Wagyu Delight, a Private Epicurean Showcase featuring Chef Michael Scott, CEC, AAC, WMCS, Corporate Chef/Sales, Rosewood Ranches Texas Raised Wagyu Beef. The evening was filled with fun an fellowship. We were thrilled to be joined by Lauren Rose Sands and Lynn Fisher, who presented a generous $100,000 donation on behalf of The Rosewood Corporation to support our groundbreaking AMD research. Thank you to everyone who made the Rods & Cones event a huge success!

The ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP tiers for the Rods & Cones Foresight Circle are:

• TIER 1 | 1 adult (single membership) $150.00
• TIER 2 | 2 adults under 35 $250.00
• TIER 3 | 2 adults 35 and older $500.00
• TIER 4 | 4 adults (Family) $750.00

If you would like more information about the Retina Foundation’s Rods & Cones Foresight Circle, please reach out to:

Amy Johnson

214-543-6533

ajohnson@retinafoundation.org

The Rosewood Foundation presented Dr. Csaky with a grant for continued funding of the Retina Foundation’s ocular drug delivery device program. From left: Loren Greaves, John Dziminski, Lauren Sands, Dr. Karl Csaky, Lynn Fisher, and Amy Johnson

Thanks to support from individuals like you, the Retina Foundation is a world leader in research for pediatric eye conditions, inherited retinal diseases, and age-related macular degeneration. The Retina Foundation’s research remains as critical as ever. We continue to work on the development of potential treatments for patients with various eye diseases through laboratory science and clinical trials.

Please help the Retina Foundation continue leading research and saving sight.