Wiktoria Bosy-Gąsior, Poland SOE Observership Report Moorfields Eye Hospital, London UK

First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the European Society of Ophthalmology for awarding me the SOE Observership Grant and giving me the opportunity to undertake an observership at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London—an exceptional and truly inspiring institution. This observership exceeded my expectations and proved to be an immensely valuable experience, both professionally and personally.

During my three-week observership in paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, I had the opportunity to join medical teams in their daily work across a range of specialist paediatric clinics and in the operating theatre. Each day brought new and valuable learning experiences.

I was fortunate to spend this time with many wonderful people, including highly experienced consultants and the fellows working alongside them. Everyone welcomed me with great warmth and kindness.

I would especially like to express my heartfelt gratitude to two exceptional consultants: Dr Naz Raoof and Miss Maria Theodorou.

Throughout my observership, they both made me feel extremely welcome and supported. They carefully discussed the cases we encountered, explained their clinical reasoning and patiently answered all my questions concerning the diagnosis and management of each patient.

Thanks to Miss Maria Theodorou, I now feel much more confident when assessing patients with nystagmus. I gained a clearer understanding of how to initiate the diagnostic pathway and approach the subsequent management of these patients.

I was particularly grateful for the warmth and positive energy that Dr Naz Raoof brought to our sessions in the neuro-ophthalmology clinic and the operating theatre. I had the opportunity to observe a wide range of fascinating strabismus surgery techniques in both paediatric patients and more complex adult cases, including those associated with underlying endocrine disorders.

By the end of my observership, I felt deeply moved by how much I had learned, how many fascinating cases I had been able to observe and how warmly I had been treated throughout my stay. It was such a wonderful experience that I truly did not want to leave London or say goodbye to the remarkable people I had met.

Receiving the SOE Observership Grant and completing my placement at Moorfields Eye Hospital at such an early stage of my ophthalmology career will undoubtedly prove to be a turning point in both my clinical and academic development. This experience has shown me how many opportunities lie ahead, and I am immensely grateful that I decided to apply for the grant. I am equally grateful to the SOE for selecting me as a grant recipient and making this unforgettable experience possible.