From 2001 to 2019, 1140 fellowships were awarded by the International Council of Ophthalmology to help young ophthalmologists, mainly from third-world countries, improve their practical or research skills in ophthalmology subspecialty areas.  

In a questionnaire-based study reviewing the impact of the fellowships, 98.3% agreed the fellowships had “considerably” helped improve their subspecialty knowledge. The fellowships were also found to have promoted the enhancement of eye care delivery and eye health, and improved eye care, in the fellows’ countries. “Moreover, almost half of the responding participants have been appointed to a local leadership positions in their home country,” said study authors. 

The full study was published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.