With an invitation from Rwanda’s Ministry of Health, and in partnership with Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology (RIIO) and Kibagabaga Hospital, this milestone project aims to build the skills of local eye care teams, raise awareness about eye health, and expand lasting access to sight-saving care across Rwanda.
First-ever Flying Eye Hospital project in Rwanda
The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital will be in Kigali, Rwanda, this July for its first-ever ophthalmic training project in the country, aimed at improving access to quality eye care nationwide.
Dr. Ciku Mathenge examines a patient at Orbis's partner hospital, Kibagabaga. Photo: Nimũ Mathenge
The project will take place between July 21 and August 1, 2025. Rwanda will become the 84th country visited by the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital since it first took off in 1982 and, most importantly, will mark a powerful new chapter in the country’s commitment to eye health.
The project will combine hands-on surgical training, simulation-based learning, and workshops focused on strabismus, cataract, oculoplastics, and medical retina. Anesthesiologists, nurses, and biomedical engineers will also receive specialized training, so the whole eye care team is better prepared to save sight in the future.
Bangladesh project leaves a lasting eye care legacy
The Flying Eye Hospital visited Bangladesh in 2024.
During simulation training, local teams will use virtual reality (VR) to deepen their skills in two types of cataract surgery: manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) and phacoemulsification. They will train in MSICS, the most common technique performed in low-resource countries, using a state-of-the-art portable VR tool co-developed by Orbis.
When the project is done, Orbis is donating the tool to RIIO so local teams can continue to hone their surgical skills. We are also partnering with Haag-Streit, a German medical technology manufacturer, to provide 30 hours of hands-on VR simulation training in phacoemulsification, ensuring they have the skills to treat their communities advanced techniques too.
Our Flying Eye Hospital project in Bangladesh successfully concluded with local eye care teams improving their skills and expertise under the guidance of world-leading Volunteer Faculty.
Orbis in Rwanda
Orbis’s relationship with RIIO began nearly a decade ago with workshops and training programs in local hospitals focused on growing the number of trained eye health professionals. Since 2021, we have also partnered with RIIO and the Rwanda Diabetes Association to equip four diabetes clinics in Kigali with Cybersight AI, an Orbis tool that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to rapidly screen for diabetic retinopathy, a common complication of diabetes that can lead to blindness. This powerful technology lets doctors diagnose patients in minutes rather than hours, making patients more likely to seek care and more satisfied with the results.
Diabetes is on the rise globally, and diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness for working-age people. Through Cybersight AI and technology partnerships, we are working to ensure more places with limited access to eye care can benefit from these tools for free.
Seymour the Bear, Orbis's mascot, wears traditional attire used by Intore in Rwanda's ceremonial warrior dance, to celebrate the Flying Eye Hospital's inaugural trip to the country. Once reserved for royalty, the dance is now performed at national celebrations and cultural events.
Esther’s Story: a Clearer Future
One powerful example of the impact of technology in eye care is Esther, a 26-year-old woman from Rwanda living with diabetes. In 2023, Esther received her first-ever eye exam at an Orbis-supported eye care center in Kigali. Thanks to Cybersight AI, Esther was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and referred for follow-up treatment. After almost two years, she received the eye care she needed to treat her DR, with additional surgery to treat cataracts, which were diagnosed during her DR treatment.
Esther tells us, “after the operation, with my eyes still covered, I was curious about what I’d experience. When they removed the bandage, I saw clearly and was so happy ... and excited to see everyone again with my new eyesight.”
Today, Esther is thriving — married, a new mother, and able to care for her baby with confidence and joy.
Esther received the eye care she deserved and is now thriving.
Global Effort
Our life-changing work would not be possible without the generous support of our partners and volunteers. We want to thank our expert Volunteer Faculty for donating their time and expertise to teach, mentor, and guide local teams.
We also want to give an enormous thank you to this project’s corporate sponsors, Alcon and OMEGA.
Alcon has been a trusted partner of Orbis for more than 40 years, providing in-kind donations through Alcon Cares and monetary donations through the Alcon Foundation to support the Flying Eye Hospital and partner hospitals around the world.
OMEGA has been a proud supporter of Orbis since 2011. OMEGA is an avid supporter of Flying Eye Hospital projects and works with its celebrity brand ambassadors to increase awareness of global eye care.
The Flying Eye Hospital project in Kigali is more than a training program—it’s a launchpad for long-term impact, building local capacity to improve access to eye care for generations to come. Together with our partners, supporters, and the Rwandan eye care community, we are shaping a brighter, clearer future for all.
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