The Ridley Eye Foundation

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The Ridley Eye Foundation

We are a charity who delivers the cure for cataract blindness.

Our work funds the provision and clinical development of cataract surgery in developing countries to treat avoidable blindness.

17/06/2026

Cataract Awareness Month
The highest honour:
Harold Ridley received his highest honor in 1986 when he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of London. The Society, chartered in 1662 by King Charles Il, is reserved for individuals who have made scientific contributions of the highest order.

The citation reads ‘this (IOL) operation is now and for the forseeable future an established part of modern opthalmic surgery. It is rare that such an outstanding advance can be so clearly traced back to the skill and vision of one man’

12/06/2026

Cataract Awareness Month

Cataract Surgery Before Modern Medicine:
For centuries cataracts were treated using a technique called “couching” in which the cloudy lens was pushed out of the visual axis with a sharp instrument & the Ancient Egyptians were the first to record their attempts to remove cataracts surgically. Modern cataract surgery took a giant leap forward thanks to Sir Harold Ridley’s development of the intraocular lens in the 20th century

10/06/2026

Cataract Awareness Month

A Legacy Seen Around the World:
Today intraocular lenses are used in cataract surgery across the world, helping millions regain clear vision every year. This standard of care traces directly back to Sir Harold Ridley’s groundbreaking work and determination to improve patients’ quality of life.

The Ridley Eye Foundation are currently working in Nepal to continue the legacy left by Sir Harold, delivering cataract surgery to communities in the remote regions of the country via outreach microsurgical eye clinics.

07/06/2026

Inspiration from Wartime Medicine:
Sir Harold Ridley’s breakthrough in his quest to revolutionise cataract surgery came from an unexpected observation during World War II. He noticed that fragments of acrylic from aircraft canopies lodged in pilots’ eyes often caused no adverse reaction. This led him to explore acrylic as a material for an artificial lens—a discovery that transformed cataract surgery.

06/06/2026

Cataract Awareness Month
The First Implant:
On 29 November 1949, Sir Harold Ridley implanted the first intraocular lens at St Thomas’ Hospital in London. Although controversial at the time, his pioneering procedure paved the way for the modern cataract surgery performed millions of times each year.

04/06/2026

A Revolutionary Idea:
Before the 1950s, cataract patients had their cloudy lens removed and relied on thick, heavy spectacles to see. Sir Harold Ridley changed that forever when he developed the world’s first intraocular lens (IOL), creating a way to implant the new lens inside the eye.

02/06/2026

Sir Harold Ridley: Changing the Future of Sight
This Cataract Awareness Month we celebrate the remarkable legacy of Sir Harold Ridley, whose pioneering work transformed cataract surgery and modern ophthalmology.
In 1949 Sir Harold Ridley performed the world’s first implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL), revolutionising the treatment of cataracts and restoring vision to millions of people worldwide. His innovation laid the foundation for the cataract surgery techniques used today, making one of the most successful and life-changing procedures in medicine possible.
His vision, perseverance, and commitment to improving patient care continues to impact lives across the globe.

20/05/2026

Our mission is always to reach those who cannot access eye health care by taking the surgery to the patient. The team from the took 4 bone jangling days to reach Simikot!

The mountain roads of the Karnali Province provide an exciting ride – definitely not for the faint-hearted! Steep rocky tracks with deep muddy furrows are edged with sheer drops.
Spectacular views and a warm welcome await those who are lucky enough to venture to this part of Nepal which is accessed via aeroplane, jeep or a long steep walk!

13/05/2026

At just 3 years old, Priyanka suffered a traumatic cataract injury to her eye after being struck by a wooden stick while playing. For the past 8 years she has lived with avoidable blindness.
Her father works in India to support the family, while her mother cares for Priyanka and her two younger siblings at home - a journey of 7–8 hours away from the outreach clinic.
Like many families in remote communities, limited finances, lack of nearby healthcare, and awareness meant treatment was never possible.
When neighbours and relatives heard about our free outreach eye clinic they encouraged the family to seek help. Priyanka travelled to the clinic with her aunt Anita, who is 17 and studying locally near the clinic site.

Stories like Priyanka’s are why outreach cataract clinics matter. Through the work of the Ridley Eye Foundation and local partners, children and adults in some of the most isolated parts of Nepal are being given the chance to see again — and with it, the opportunity for education, independence, and hope.

Together, we are curing avoidable cataract blindness, one patient at a time.

05/05/2026

A week on from running the world record breaking London Marathon 2026, Luke has recovered well, his incredible efforts having raised over £3.2k 🙌🏼
The event took Luke a little over 4 hours but the work we will do with the funds he raised will have life changing and long lasting effect.
Massive thanks and respect to Luke and to everyone who donated to REF in his name 🙏🏼🏃‍♂️😎

Address

Swinstead Hall, Swinstead
Grantham
NG334PH

Website

http://www.ridleyeyefoundation.org/

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