Retina Foundation Brings Eye on Innovation, The Series to Austin 

Innovative research, generous philanthropy and visionary leadership highlighted at Austin event 

AUSTIN, TX – The Retina Foundation introduced its Eye on Innovation, The Series event for the first time to Austinites at Westwood Country Club, bringing together supporters, donors and leaders to celebrate groundbreaking advancements in vision-saving research. This event highlighted Retina Foundation’s pioneering work in degenerative retinal diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). 

The focal point of the evening was the final tally of the $250,000 AMD Challenge Match which was generously provided by Betsy Abell from the Buena Vista Foundation and Carmel Borders from the Tapestry Foundation. This initiative inspired donors to match the gift dollar-for-dollar, resulting in a total of over $500,000 raised to support the Retina Foundation’s innovative research. 

“The Retina Foundation is at the forefront of developing treatments and cures for vision loss,” said Dr. Karl Csaky, Chief Medical and Chief Executive Officer of the Retina Foundation. “Thanks to our generous donors and our dedicated team, we have the freedom to pursue science that not only has the potential to slow the vision loss vision but save it. This is hope backed by science.”  

The Eye on Innovation, The Series event marked an important milestone in the Retina Foundation’s mission to deliver vision-saving advancements globally while remaining steadfastly patient-centric and Texas-rooted. The Foundation’s commitment to never charging patients for their care ensures that innovation remains accessible to all. 

“We are deeply grateful for the generosity of our new and returning donors, whose unwavering support makes groundbreaking research possible,” said Austin resident Jeanne Klein who is a part of the first-of-its-kind AMD sibling study with her sister. “Each contribution, no matter the size, represents hope for 18 million people with AMD and the countless millions of people with other vision disorders.” 

The sibling study’s goal is to uncover why both sisters have a genetic factor for AMD but only Klein has been diagnosed with the disease.  

Using stem-cell derived retinal cells (mini eyeballs) grown from a simple blood draw, the Retina Foundation’s world-class team of physicians and researchers can analyze the genetic disparities between the sisters’ cells, as well as test various drug therapies on Klein’s cells to determine their efficacy.  

Incoming Board Chair Laurie Dotter shared her personal connection to the mission, inspired by her father’s battle with AMD. “The Retina Foundation provides solutions and hope – not just for patients but for families like mine who are deeply impacted by vision loss,” Dotter remarked during her heartfelt welcome speech.  

ABOUT THE RETINA FOUNDATION

The uniquely nimble, innovative and patient-focused model of the Retina Foundation yields solutions to preserve and restore vision that reach patients in less time. A global leader in advanced medical research for retinal diseases and disorders, the Retina Foundation is the medical destination for innovative research on age-related macular degeneration, inherited retinal disease and pediatric disorders. The Retina Foundation leads more than 60 clinical research studies and provides more than 2,000 vision assessments each year completely free of charge. Learn more at www.retinafoundation.org.

From left to right: Dr. Srinivasa Sripathi with the Retina Foundation; Amy Johnson with the Retina Foundation; Carmel Borders with Tapestry Foundation; Betsy Abell with Buena Vista Foundation; Jeanne Klein, participant in the AMD Stem Cell Sibling Study; Samantha Borders with Tapestry Foundation; Diane Boddy, participant in the AMD Stem Cell Sibling Study; and Dr. Karl Csaky with the Retina Foundation.