OAEE is a small organisation founded in 1990 and registered as a Charity in 2001 (No. 1086676). It arose from the realisation that the eyecare services in Eastern European countries were very neglected, particularly in centres outside the main cities.
Whereas previously it was difficult to support them actively, after the collapse of the Soviet Empire many of them became more accessible and have received help from the charity. The war in Europe has again made the situation very difficult for Ukraine and for those countries sharing its Western and Southern borders.
In 2023 OAEE sent ophthalmic instruments and equipment to Lviv and further deliveries are planned for there and for ophthalmic centres in Romania near the Ukraine border which are dealing with an influx of refugees.
Sir Edward Lewis Foundation Bursaries
OAEE assists young eye doctors from Eastern Europe to attend as observers in specialist clinics in the UK where a fee for observerships is charged. It also helps fund teaching visits by UK ophthalmologists to Eastern Europe and gives travel bursaries to ophthalmologists and orthoptists wishing to present papers at national and international eye congresses in the region.
Applications for these bursaries of up to £1,000 should be sent by email to Mr Peter Cackett, Consultant Ophthalmologist at pdcackett@hotmail.com for consideration.
