The following biographies are provided:

• Dr. Allen Foster (International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and World Health Organization)
• Dr. James Oestreich (Toronto ophthalmologist who has performed sight-saving surgery in developing countries)

For interview coordination, contact Bruce Van-Lane, (416) 599-9229 ext. 1, or e-mail: brucev@communicationmatters.com

Global blindness facts, figures and trends. Vision 2020, including specific projects with first hand experience; medical knowledge of avoidable blindness and its prevention and cure explained in a simple non-jargonistic way. Media friendly.

Graduated with an Honours degree in Medicine and distinction in Surgery from Birmingham University.

Initially worked in Ophthalmology and Surgery in Worcester and Birmingham Hospital; he subsequently specialised in Ophthalmology at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge.

Allen joined CBM in 1975 and went to the Mvumi Eye Hospital in Tanzania where he worked for 10 years. His 3 children were born and spent their childhood there. Allen developed an outreach eye programme to six other hospitals in Tanzania and a training programme for doctors and nurses throughout Africa.

Allen returned to UK in 1985 when he became CBM's Medical Director. This involves frequent visits to Africa, India and China. Allen also teaches overseas eye doctors and supervises research work into childhood blindness at the Institute of Ophthalmology where he is a Senior Lecturer.

In 1997, Allen was awarded an OBE for Services to Ophthalmology in developing countries.

Over the last 9 years, Allen has been assisting the World Health Organization and World Bank in the development of programs to prevent and treat blindness in Africa.

Professional Qualifications

• Honours Degree in Medicine, University of Birmingham (with Honours in Biochemistry, Physiology, Pathology, Community Medicine, Paediatrics and a Distinction and Year Prize in Surgery)
• Diploma in Ophthalmology, London 1975
• Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, London 1980
• Fellow of the College of Ophthalmologists, London 1989
• Awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for Services to Ophthalmology in developing countries.

• Senior Vice President/President Elect of the IAPB (International Agency for Prevention of Blindness. A member of the IAPB Executive Board since 1989
• Medical Director of CBMI worldwide since 1985
• Consultant to the World Health Organisation and World Bank in the development of programmes to prevent and treat blindness in Africa for the past nine years.
• He has been Senior Lecturer in Community Eye Health at the International Centre for Eye Health, London
• Senior Lecturer in Preventive Ophthalmology, Institute of Ophthalmology, London
• Honorary Consultant Ophthalmologist, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London
• Dr. Foster is a prolific author with a book and well over 50 published articles to his name.
• Dr. Foster was Ophthalmologist and Medical Officer, Mvumi Hospital, Tanzania from 1975 to 1979, and Ophthalmologist-in-charge and Medical Superintendant at Mvumi Hospital from 1981-1985.

Can Comment On:

NGO efforts to correct/prevent blindness in developing nations. Various surgical procedures to prevent and correct blindness in developing nations, and the field training he has been involved with in these nations.

Background

Dr. Oestreicher is an Ophthalmologist -- a medical doctor who performs complex and intricate surgery on, in and around the eyes -- who has completed additional training in the sub-specialty of plastic surgery, as it relates to the eyes and their surrounding structures.

Dr. Oestreicher is therefore certified to perform Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and is known as an Oculoplastic Surgeon.

Performing more than one thousand eye-related surgeries per year, his particular expertise is in the management of deformities and abnormalities of the eyelids; the eye’s lacrimal (tear) system; the orbit (bony cavity surrounding the eye); the adjacent face; and the cosmetic improvement of the eyelids.

In addition to his private practice, academic activities and continuing research, Dr. Oestreicher is a member of the humanitarian organization ORBIS International. The ORBIS Project operates the world's only "flying eye hospital" -- a specially equipped DC-10 aircraft staffed by a team of medical experts that flies to developing countries, bringing practical, hands-on training to local eye doctors, nurses, technicians and health care workers and restoring sight to thousands.

Examples of the types of surgeries that Dr. Oestreicher would be demonstrating include cataract removal and eyelid rotation for trachoma patients whose eyelids have turned inwards, causing the eyelashes to scar the cornea.

At the request of the local Ministry for Health and Ophthalmological Society, the ORBIS DC-10 will visit any country. The modified aircraft's facilities include a self-contained teaching eye hospital including a classroom, audio-visual room, editing room, laser/examination room, conference room, operating room, sub-sterile and scrub room, recovery room, and communication centre. The lower level of the plane houses a technical training and maintenance centre.

The plane carries a crew of 23 individuals -- one anaesthetist, one anaesthetic nurse, five staff ophthalmologists, six nurses, two biomedical engineers, two flight mechanics, four administrative staff, and two audio-visual experts -- from many different countries; currently the USA, Canada, England, Ireland, Sweden, Bulgaria, India, Turkey, Myanmar and the Philippines. Specialist eye surgeons from around the world fly in to operate, hold clinics and teach the local doctors. All ORBIS clinical staff - anaesthetic, ophthalmic, biomedical and nursing - are involved in teaching their local counterparts, and sharing their knowledge and skills. This comes in the form of "hands-on" practical teaching on the plane and off the plane lectures. Interpreters are used where needed.

Dr. Oestreicher's work for ORBIS has included missions to Chongqing, China; Yangon, Burma; Riga, Latvia; Guiyang, China; and Ahmedabad, India.

A frequent contributor to the European Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. James H. Oestreicher is the current President of the Canadian Oculoplastic Society and an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Toronto.

Degrees

• 1977 B. Eng. Engineering Physics, McMaster
• University, Hamilton
• 1980 M.D., McMaster University, Hamilton

• 1981 - LicentiateThe Medical Council of Canada (L.M.C.C.)
• 1981 - CertifiedNational Board of Medical Examiners (USA)
• 1990 - FellowThe Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada - F.R.C.S. (C)
• 1991 - DiplomateAmerican Board of Ophthalmology

• Ontario Medical Association (OMA)
• College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO)
• Canadian Ophthalmological Society
• The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (Fellow)
• American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) (Fellow)
• American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• Canadian Society of Oculoplastic Surgeons (President 2000-2001)
• Toronto Ophthalmological Society
• Toronto Oculoplastic Society
• International Society for Orbital Disorders (Fellow)
• Canadian Laser Aesthetic Surgical Society (Fellow)

• CBC Newsworld - "Project ORBIS in Burma and Latvia", October 1995
• The Toronto Sun - "T.O. Doc's China-bound", October 1997
• The Toronto Star - "Flying Hospital Takes Vision Care Around The World", November 1998
• University Of Toronto Magazine - "Dr. Oestreicher and ORBIS", December 1999