Brentwood, TN (September 2, 2026) – The Children’s Eye Foundation of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (CEF of AAPOS) is pleased to announce continued support from the Knights Templar Eye Foundation (KTEF), including $275,000 for the Stop Infant Blindness in Africa (SIBA) program and $100,000 for the KTEF Ophthalmology Resident and Medical Student Travel Grant program. KTEF’s financial support reflects longstanding partnership with CEF of AAPOS to expand pediatric eye care resources and nurture professional development for the next generation of pediatric ophthalmologists. 

The $275,000 SIBA grant brings KTEF’s total program contributions to more than $1 million since its launch in 2018. SIBA works to reduce preventable childhood blindness in Africa by strengthening health care providers’ capacity to identify and treat retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a leading cause of childhood blindness.  KTEF’s assistance allows the program to expand telemedicine-based ROP training and screening efforts at hospitals in Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda. Just last year, nearly 2,500 infants received ophthalmic care as a direct result of SIBA.  

KTEF is supporting the KTEF Ophthalmology Resident and Medical Student Travel Grant program for the fourth consecutive year. The program provides stipends to residents and medical students to help cover the cost of attending and, in many cases, presenting at the AAPOS Annual Meeting. Since its launch in 2023, the program has supported more than 100 emerging medical professionals, providing valuable educational and networking opportunities, and encouraging future physicians to pursue careers in pediatric ophthalmology. 

“Reaching more than $1 million in support for the Stop Infant Blindness in Africa program is a significant milestone for the Children’s Eye Foundation of AAPOS,” said Christie Morse, executive vice president of AAPOS. “Beyond helping us build momentum in our efforts to develop sustainable eye care programs in Africa, KTEF’s investment in the next generation of physicians creates opportunities for them to learn, connect and grow within their specialties. We are proud of what this partnership has made possible.” 

“The Knights Templar Eye Foundation believes that meaningful progress begins with investing in the people and programs that can carry this work forward,” said Sir Knight David Goodwin, Executive Director of KTEF. “Supporting physician education and strengthening local capacity gives the community the tools and expertise to address pediatric eye health needs for years to come. We are pleased to play a role in helping build that foundation and to see these initiatives continue to develop.”  

The latest grants bring KTEF’s total contributions to CEF programs to more than $3 million, including support for the All Children See program. Now in its fifth year, All Children See grant is distributed in annual payments of $250,000 and helps uninsured and underinsured children who have failed vision screenings receive comprehensive eye examinations from volunteer pediatric ophthalmologists located in 30 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. 

Through its partnership with CEF of AAPOS, KTEF is helping advance programs that expand access to pediatric eye care, strengthen physician education and training, and support efforts to prevent childhood blindness. 

For more information about CEF of AAPOS and its programs, visit childrenseyefoundation.org. 

About the Children’s Eye Foundation of AAPOS 

The Children’s Eye Foundation of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus envisions an end to preventable vision loss and an improved quality of life for visually impaired children worldwide. CEF, founded in 1970, supports four programs: All Children See, Global Education & Training, Stop Infant Blindness in Africa and Vision Through Music® to help fulfill that mission.   

About the Knights Templar Eye Foundation
Founded in 1956 by the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, the Knights Templar Eye Foundation is dedicated to improving vision through research, education, and expanded access to care. To date, KTEF has awarded over $190 million in support of its mission. This includes more than $45 million in grants to researchers specializing in pediatric ophthalmology and ophthalmic genetics, as well as $18 million in endowed professorships and research endowments. 

About The American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus  

The American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) is an organization of over 2,000 pediatric ophthalmologists working across the U.S. and Canada to advance the quality of children’s eye care, support the training of future pediatric ophthalmologists and research activities in pediatric ophthalmology and advance the care of adults with strabismus. AAPOS members are certified ophthalmologists who maintain the highest level of competency and ethics in ophthalmology.