Welcome Ukrainian Ophthalmologists!

The ESCRS wants to extend a special welcome to our Ukrainian colleagues. All Ukrainian doctors have been offered free registration to the Congress, with some 300 doctors expected to attend.

The ESCRS responded very quickly to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February of this year. Our ongoing efforts, working with colleagues in other ophthalmology organisations and industry, have already provided more than one million euros in support to our Ukrainian ophthalmological colleagues in logistics and medical supplies.

“From the first day of the beginning of the War against Ukrainian people, principals of democracy and humanism, we, Ukrainian ophthalmic surgeons, felt your support.

Every day you ask me about the situation in my country, and every day you propose possible help. We feel it, and we are very appreciative. My country, our citizens, and our army show unbelievable examples of heroism. We are the first barrier on the way in Europe of Russian Federation dictation, military aggression, and inhuman suffering. And we believe that truth will win,” said Volodymyr Melnyk MD, Head of the Society of Ukrainian Ophthalmic Surgeons in a letter to all ESCRS members.

The ESCRS has also arranged to provide observerships and some travel grants for Ukrainian colleagues. The travel grants are primarily for older surgeons who have suffered particular losses or been under particular pressure. The observerships— selected by an ESCRS panel—will be for trainees. So far, observerships have been established in Auckland, New Zealand and in Utah, United States.

These are funded in part from ESCRS reserves and in part from the funds generously donated by other organisations, specially sister societies and individuals.

Here at the Milan Congress, there will be a War Trauma symposium in which, not least, there will be some interesting case studies presented by Ukrainian surgeons—whose experience dates back to 2014 when the first invasion of Donbas took place. Orbis is hosting a symposium, “Innovative Ophthalmology in Conflict Zones,” in which Ukraine will also figure.

“I would again like to thank our industry partners, sister societies, and members for supporting us in our efforts to assist colleagues in Ukraine. I think we have made a significant and targeted difference in many trauma centres across Ukraine, and I know it has been greatly appreciated. Your help in sustaining this support into 2023 will be invaluable,” said Oliver Findl MD, President of the ESCRS.