Since 1957, the Knights Templar Eye Foundation has supported the work of clinician-scientists at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine, through a thriving grant program, showing their deep commitment to improving vision through research, education and access to care. Founded in the tradition of medieval stonemason guilds, the Foundation — with about 60,000 members known as the Knights — recently began providing long-term support to pediatric glaucoma specialist Courtney Kraus, M.D., who was named the Knights Templar Eye Foundation Professor of Ophthalmology last year.

“We talk a lot in the industry, and most of the people knew Dr. Kraus’ name and said that she’s a great choice for a professorship that supports a pediatric ophthalmologist who is improving the quality of life for children who have eye diseases,” says Robert Bigley, assistant secretary and office administrator of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation.

Kraus was drawn to pediatric ophthalmology because of the important role clinicians play in the growth and development of their young patients. This is particularly true for children with glaucoma, a chronic eye disease characterized by increased eye pressure, which potentially damages the optic nerve and causes permanent vision loss. “Pediatric glaucoma is a diagnosis that often takes families by surprise, and it’s met with a lot of questions, uncertainty and fear,” she says. “But I’ve always taken joy in the fact that we can partner with the family and the child and make it the best possible journey for them.”

Kraus is conducting research on how children with glaucoma are impacted by this diagnosis in their daily lives. She is studying whether music helps patients have a more positive experience during their frequent visual field tests, as well as whether young people who are diagnosed during adolescence have a greater likelihood of being diagnosed with ADHD, which can impact their progress in school.

Kraus is also analyzing patient records to learn the rates at which this population is diagnosed with mental health conditions. “If you look at other childhood onset chronic diseases, we know these kids are much more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety and depression,” she says. “But there’s really no research on what’s going on with our pediatric glaucoma patients. If a correlation exists, the hope is that we will be able to convert this knowledge into tangible changes in the way we care for kids with glaucoma.”

This professorship, which also supports Kraus’ work in training residents, is an extension of the support that the Knights Templar Eye Foundation has provided to faculty members at Wilmer for nearly seven decades. During that time, the organization has also awarded 96 early career or renewal grants to faculty whose work is advancing the field.

“I have the highest admiration for the Knights,” says Peter J. McDonnell, M.D., the Alan and Marlene Norton Director of the Wilmer Eye Institute and the William Holland Wilmer Professor of Ophthalmology. “We’re very grateful for this professorship they have funded. There’s quite a shortage of specialists taking care of children with eye diseases, and this professorship helps address that by supporting Dr. Kraus, who is helping to train the next generation of pediatric ophthalmologists.”