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Simul Can Play

April 05, 2017

Four-year-old Simul has had a very difficult childhood. His mother and father left him when he was only a small baby, and he was raised by his grandmother. At an early age, he began to have difficulty seeing. His grandmother heard about an eye health outreach program happening in their town and took Simul to be examined.

Website terms & conditions

April 09, 2018

Rishi Ray Borah: Director of Program, Orbis India

February 20, 2018

Rishi was named as one of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness
(IAPB)’s Eye Health Heroes in 2017, but he has long been a hero of the Orbis team.

Safeguarding, Trust & Transparency

March 05, 2018

At Orbis, everything we do is guided by our vision to transform lives through the prevention and treatment of blindness.

We have high standards for how we achieve this. Here you will find information on how we keep people safe, our financial accountability and our safeguarding policies.

Orbis featured on CBS show 'The Doctors'

March 12, 2018

The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital and Volunteer Faculty member, Dr Rudy Wagner, have been featured on the daily talk show 'The Doctors'. Make sure to give it a watch and share it with your friends.

Flying Eye Hospital - take a tour

March 20, 2018

Find out more about this amazing aircraft or take a virtual reality tour - the next best thing to visiting it in person.

Flying Eye Hospital lands in Peru

April 03, 2018

The Flying Eye Hospital has touched down in Trujillo, Peru, for a three-week training program to help strengthen the skills of eye teams right across the region.

Video: Changing the way the world sees

April 05, 2018

Want to find out who we are and what we do? Well, watch this short video to know more. A big thank you to all our supporters, local partners and volunteers for helping change the way the world sees.

World Health Day

April 06, 2018

This World Health Day, we are reaffirming our commitment to help bring quality eye care to everyone, no matter where they are born. This means ensuring the right people have the right skills to identify and deal with challenges effectively.

Privacy Policy

April 09, 2018

Project Orbis International, Inc. (“Orbis”) wants you to know how we use and protect the important information you provide to us through our websites, technology, applications, content, products, and services (our “Platforms”). This information summarizes our policy, procedures and practices.

Unveiling new technology on board the Flying Eye Hospital

April 10, 2018

We have entered week two of our Flying Eye Hospital program in Trujillo, Peru. It’s been an eventful first week working alongside our partner Instituto Regional de Oftalmología (IRO) helping train and share skills with some truly inspirational people.

Peter Maddox: Development Associate, Orbis Canada

February 20, 2018

Peter was recognized because he is an excellent collaborator with colleagues around the world. He is immensely proud to work at Orbis and shows his determination to make a contribution in the fight to end blindness.

Changing the way the world sees

April 17, 2018

Thanks to your support we're always on the lookout for new ways to use technology to help build the skills of eye teams in communities around the world. By constantly innovating we're able to reach more people - more efficiently - than ever before.

Vintage footage of Orbis through the years

May 02, 2018

This is an amazing video put together by a former staff member featuring vintage footage of our Flying Eye Hospital in the news in the 1980s. You’ll see ‘Project Orbis’ in Cuba during the Cold War, improving relations between the Turks and Greeks in Cyprus and even hosting Mother Theresa.

Give monthly

April 23, 2018

Everybody deserves the chance to see the sunset in the evening or the smile on a babies face. You can help people do just that by becoming a Partner in Sight and giving a monthly gift to Orbis.

Flights for sight

April 27, 2018

Together with our incredible team of volunteer doctors, nurses and pilots, our Flights for Sight members are crucial to powering our one-of-a-kind hospital on a plane.

Power the Plane

May 04, 2018

Together with our incredible team of volunteer doctors, nurses and pilots, our Flights for Sight members are crucial to powering our one-of-a-kind hospital on a plane.

In Photos: Changing lives in Cameroon – Saliou

May 10, 2018

We recently visited Cameroon to see how your support is transforming lives and we picked up a few inspiring stories to share with you.

Carl Zeiss

May 10, 2018

TrueVision Inc.

May 10, 2018

Hortance Manjo, Orbis Country Representative, Cameroon

February 20, 2018

Hortance is the dynamic face and heart of Orbis in Cameroon. She thrives on breaking barriers and overcoming challenges that impact the lives of people who would otherwise be unable to access quality care. Her role is diverse and yet she handles the pressure and manages all her interactions with a grace and integrity that embodies the Orbis Values.

Rishi Ray Borah: Director of Program, Orbis India

February 19, 2018

Rishi was named as one of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness
(IAPB)’s Eye Health Heroes in 2017, but he has long been a hero of the Orbis team.

How One Nurse and her Patient Were Reunited on board the Flying Eye Hospital

May 11, 2018

Jose was a healthy, happy five-year-old playing outside near his home in Lima, Peru when he fell victim to a chance accident. Read about Jose's story below and how he was reunited years later with the nurse who helped him recover from his surgery on the Flying Eye Hospital....

Give the Gift of Sight This #GivingTuesday

November 20, 2017

Have your #GivingTuesday donation matched dollar for dollar, up to $25,000, and help restore vision for more children like Halima.

WORLD SIGHT DAY- #MakeVisionCount

October 11, 2017

This year’s World Sight Day is on Thursday, October 12th, with the theme of “Make Vision Count.” We at Orbis want to take over Facebook to raise visibility of the 245 million people around the world living with avoidable blindness…but we need your help…

New England College of Optometry & Orbis Partner to Increase Access to Global Optometry

October 12, 2017

New England College of Optometry (NECO) and Orbis are pleased to announce a formal partnership to address the global unmet need for uncorrected refractive errors--one of the top two causes of visual impairment.

Orbis spotlights Cameroon on World Sight Day

October 12, 2017

Orbis highlights World Sight Day amidst four-week training on the Flying Eye Hospital in Cameroon, a country with one of the highest prevalences of blindness and visual impairment in the world.

BBC in Cameroon

October 13, 2017

The BBC World News released a segment on World Sight Day about our Flying Eye Hospital efforts in Cameroon. The segment covers a patient success story, our first ever use of virtual reality goggles and dives further into our work in Cameroon.

Orbis Honors Special Guests at 2017 Annual Gala

October 24, 2017

Orbis held 2017's annual Gala at the Rainbow Room, the iconic New York City landmark 65 stories above the Rockefeller Center.

Orbis Africa redirect

November 09, 2017

Flying Eye Hospital arrives in Bangladesh

November 17, 2017

The Flying Eye Hospital has arrived in Bangladesh on the final leg of its 2017 tour. Its goal – to raise awareness of the issue of childhood blindness and train local eye teams in the latest technological advancements.

UTC Aerospace Systems Equips Flying Eye Hospital With Simulation Center

November 17, 2017

UTC Aerospace Systems announced that its $1 million contribution to Orbis will establish the world’s first Mobile Simulation Center outfitted for an aircraft

CNBC Features the Flying Eye Hospital

November 29, 2017

CNBC interviewed Orbis's Bruce Johnson, Director of Aircraft Operations and Maintenance, in-depth about the Flying Eye Hospital.

Hortance Manjo, Orbis Country Representative, Cameroon

February 19, 2018

Hortance is the dynamic face and heart of Orbis in Cameroon. She thrives on breaking barriers and overcoming challenges that impact the lives of people who would otherwise be unable to access quality care. Her role is diverse and yet she handles the pressure and manages all her interactions with a grace and integrity that embodies the Orbis Values.

CNN steps on board the Flying Eye Hospital

December 06, 2017

CNN's Vital Signs with Dr. Sanjay Gupta featured our amazing Flying Eye Hospital during its recent visit to Cameroon. Check out the three-part series below. A big thank you to CNN and to everyone who made this story possible!

Orbis International Welcomes New Members to its Board of Directors

January 11, 2018

Orbis welcomes Dr. Pravin Dugel, managing partner, Retinal Consultants of Arizona, and David Gitlin, President, UTC Aerospace Systems, to its Board of Directors.

Where will we go in 2018?

January 18, 2018

The Flying Eye Hospital crew and staff are ready and excited for another year fighting blindness around the globe. In 2018 we will be travelling to five countries and three continents to help build a lasting eye care legacy in the communities that need it most.

Gransnet meets Orbis patients in Cameroon

January 22, 2018

Cari Rosen is writer and editor of Gransnet – a social networking site for readers aged 50+. She recently visited the Flying Eye Hospital and our partners in Yaoundé, Cameroon, to meet women with visual impairment and join our medical volunteers while they trained local doctors.

Fighting blindness, poverty and gender inequality in Bangladesh

January 30, 2018

Thanks to our amazing supporters and our partnership with the Qatar Fund for Development and the Grameen foundation (through Qatar Creating Vision) – we’re excited to tell you about the recently opened Singra Vision Center in Bangladesh.

sign up to our newsletter

February 06, 2018

Shockingly across the world there are around 27 million adults and children who are blind – needlessly. Through our Flying Eye Hospital, expert medical volunteers, hospital partners and local eye care programs, we have the tools and expertise to train and treat those who need our help the most.

Thank You

February 07, 2018

Collins Aerospace

February 12, 2018

Peter Maddox: Development Associate, Orbis Canada

February 19, 2018

Peter was recognized because he is an excellent collaborator with colleagues around the world. He is immensely proud to work at Orbis and shows his determination to make a contribution in the fight to end blindness.

New World Medical

May 10, 2018

Flying Eye Hospital Lands in Barbados

May 14, 2018

The Flying Eye Hospital has landed in Barbados for its two-week regional conference with the Ophthalmological Society of the West Indies. This is the first time the plane has ever touched down in Barbados.

My Week in Vietnam

September 26, 2017

by Dr. Armie Harper, Orbis Volunteer Surgeon

Tackling Trachoma in Ethiopia: School Eye Care Clubs

October 17, 2018

This year marks 20 years of sight-saving work in Ethiopia. One of the many life-changing initiatives we have been spearheading in the country to improve eye care and vision loss, is treating and preventing the spread of trachoma in schools.

Orbis joint winner of photo competition

September 20, 2018

A photo beautifully capturing Orbis’s sight-saving work is the joint winner of a photo competition aiming to raise awareness of the work being done to beat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) around the world.

Interactive timeline: 20 years in Ethiopia

October 04, 2018

We're celebrating 20 years of fighting blindness in Ethiopia. Take a moment to scroll through the highlights from this amazing milestone. A big thank you to all our wonderful staff, partners and volunteers, without whom, none of this would be possible.

Flying Eye Hospital lands in Ethiopia for World Sight Day

October 05, 2018

The Flying Eye Hospital has landed in Ethiopia ️to help celebrate World Sight Day and our 20th anniversary of sight saving work there.

World Sight Day - #WhyICare

October 08, 2018

11th October is World Sight Day 2018 and we're taking the opportunity to ask our supporters and partners to tell us why they care about eye care - #WhyICare.

Show you care this World Sight Day

October 10, 2018

Thursday 11th October is World Sight Day - a day to raise awareness of the millions of people who still don’t have access to decent eye care around the world.

Orbis Mourns Death of Longtime Board Member, Bruce Whitman

October 11, 2018

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of longtime Board Member, Bruce Whitman. Bruce passed away early Wednesday, October 10, with his family by his side.

New book raises awareness of vision loss among children in Ethiopia

October 12, 2018

A free illustrated storybook, ‘The Singing Tree’, designed to encourage school children to seek help if their vision is poor, has been launched in Ethiopia.

Mandido can support her family again

October 14, 2018

Mandido has lived with trachoma for the past three years, which has had a profound effect on her ability to work and support her family. Her husband suffers from a chronic illness and is unable to work meaning the 50-year-old grandma’s sight is crucial for their future.

Clinical Systems Manager

October 17, 2018

As an essential member of the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital (FEH) medical support team, the Clinical Systems Manager (CSM) is responsible for the effective management of biomedical services on the Flying Eye Hospital.

Tackling trachoma in Ethiopia: a World Water Week update

August 28, 2018

​This year we are celebrating 20 years of eye health development in Ethiopia, ensuring that people are able to access the eye care they deserve.

Grants Manager

October 18, 2018

The Grants Manager is responsible for ensuring all restricted donor proposals prepared by OI offices (New York, UK, Canada and country offices) are correctly prepared, reviewed and approved as per OI guidelines, prior to submission to the donors.

Financial Analyst

October 18, 2018

Responsibilities will include consolidation of the annual budget process as well as ensuring that the budget system is accurately monitored and maintained.

Abiyot's story: Making an impact on an entire community

October 19, 2018

Thanks to our amazing partners and supporters we've been transforming lives in Ethiopia for 20 years. We want to take this opportunity to celebrate the important role played by members of the Orbis family. This is the story of Abiyot - an Integrated Eye Care Workers (IECW) - based in Gamo Gofa, Ethiopia.

Saving Meskenem’s sight with a simple screening

October 24, 2018

To celebrate two decades of sight-saving work in Ethiopia we’re sharing stories of the lives being transformed thanks to the Orbis family. This time round we're introduced to a sweet little girl called Meskenem, who has been living with blinding trachoma-like symptoms for a whole year.

Ethiopia: Flying Eye Hospital project wrap-up

October 29, 2018

The Flying Eye Hospital and our family of staff, crew and Volunteer Faculty have completed a hugely successful and energizing three-week program in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

New eLearning course launched in modern cataract surgery

October 30, 2018

We’re delighted to announce that a new e-learning course in Phacoemulsification - recognized as the gold-standard in cataract surgery – has been rolled out across our award-winning telemedicine platform, Cybersight.

World Diabetes Day: the hidden risk of blindness

November 13, 2018

14th November is World Diabetes Day and we’re shining a spotlight on the role that the Orbis family is playing in tackling one of the fastest growing causes of avoidable blindness – diabetic retinopathy.

Tsehay's story: 'Orbis helped me change my life'

November 15, 2018

As we celebrate 20 years of sight-saving work in Ethiopia, let us introduce you to Tsehay - an Orbis-trained Eye Care Worker. The 'mother of eyes' has changed the lives of an incredible 600 patients with blinding trachoma. She's extremely passionate about her work and dreams of becoming an ophthalmic nurse one day.

Orbis and Visulytix Collaborate on New AI Technology

September 10, 2018

A new collaboration brings together our telemedicine platform, Cybersight, and artificial intelligence technology to fight avoidable blindness and change the way the world sees.

Fighting blindness with clean water in Ethiopia

August 20, 2018

It's World Water Week and we're celebrating the role that clean water plays in the fight against blindness. Trachoma is a painful, contagious bacterial infection which can cause blindness. It was eradicated in most industrialized nations by the 1950s but is still common in areas of the world where poor sanitation and lack of clean water are common.

Annual President’s Club Dinner

May 29, 2018

Our Annual President’s Club Dinner took place on Wednesday, April 25th 2018 in New York City, and brought together supporters and Orbis Country Directors, who gave updates directly from the field. We've selected some of the highlights for you to enjoy below.

Barbados: Flying Eye Hospital Program Wrap-Up

June 11, 2018

The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital leaves Barbados after a successful two week training program helping improve eye care across the Caribbean.

Dr William Dean

June 11, 2018

Clinical Research Fellow, International Center for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Dr Elethia Dean

June 11, 2018

Nursing Certification, Consultant, ASC Compliant LLC.

Dr Michael Vrabec

June 11, 2018

Clinical Instructor of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Wisconsin

Dr Rudy Wagner

June 11, 2018

Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

Dr Kakarla V. Chalam

June 11, 2018

Professor & Director of Retina, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, California.

Dr Nathan Schwartz

June 11, 2018

Red Lion Surgery Center, Philadelphia

Dr Alessia Adduci

June 11, 2018

Faculty Department of Anesthesia & Intensive Care, Catholic University of Rome

Dr Elizabeth Castro

June 11, 2018

Technical Support Specialist, Alcon Laboratories Inc. California.

Flights for Sight donate redirect

June 15, 2018

Dr Rudy Wagner invites you to join Team Orbis

August 10, 2018

This is Dr Rudy Wagner, Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and long time Orbis Volunteer Faculty member. Dr Wagner has been part of Team Orbis since the early 1980s and he wants you to join too.

Orbis launches BOOST app in collaboration with partners

June 18, 2018

We are excited to announce the launch of a brand new app developed with some amazing partners designed to help measure, analyze and improve success rates in cataract surgery. The free app is a brilliant example of how the sector can come together and use the latest technology to help change the way the world sees.

Providing eye care to Rohingya people in Bangladesh

June 19, 2018

Since February we've been screening and treating Rohingya people in South East Bangladesh. As the first eye care organisation to establish services within the camps, we've been working with local partners to deliver 2,763 treatments in just two months.

Orbis International Gala 2018

June 26, 2018

Please join us for cocktails and dinner as we celebrate the work of Orbis and the generous supporters who make it possible.

Give monthly redirect

June 27, 2018

Medical Strategy Committee

July 11, 2018

We are honored to have the following members serve on our Medical Strategy Committee.

An Orbis first: live video consultation with Doctor in Syria

July 16, 2018

One of our Volunteer Faculty members held a live video consultation with a doctor in Syria last week, showing that technology can help us have an impact in places we would not otherwise be able to reach.

Celebrating 20 years of fighting blindness in Ethiopia

July 31, 2018

We’re proud to announce a huge milestone – we’re now celebrating 20 years of fighting blindness in Ethiopia. Our Addis Ababa office was officially registered in 1998 and became our very first program office outside the US.

Glasses study shows huge productivity boost for workers

July 23, 2018

A landmark study, published today in The Lancet Global Health, showcases how a simple pair of glasses can boost workers’ productivity and reduce poverty.

Saliou wants you to join Team Orbis

August 10, 2018

This story has a happy ending for Saliou thanks to the amazing support of people like you. Our expert volunteers, local partners, dedicated staff and wonderful supporters all come together to make a great team - a team that fights blindness and saves sight in communities around the world.

Live from the Flying Eye Hospital

October 04, 2017

We’re going live from Cameroon! Tomorrow at 9 a.m. ET, join our Global Medical Director, Dr. Jonathan Lord, and long-time Volunteer Faculty, Dr. Carlos Solarte, as they come to you on Facebook live from our Flying Eye Hospital training program in Cameroon.

Chief, Global Communications and Marketing - Louise Harris

September 22, 2017

Louise Harris joined Orbis International in 2017 and leads the organization’s marketing and communications strategies and programs.

Fighting Childhood Blindness in Vietnam

May 19, 2017

Flying Eye Hospital

July 28, 2017

The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital is unlike any plane you’ve seen before. A state-of-the-art teaching facility complete with operating room, classroom and recovery room - this amazing aircraft has been an example of the marriage between medicine and aviation since 1982.

Pfizer

July 27, 2017

The Pfizer-Orbis relationship dates back to 1979, three years before Orbis's first sight-saving flight, when Pfizer began supporting Orbis through cash grants and donations of medical supplies.

Jebsen

July 27, 2017

Jebsen generously partners with Orbis to build up a training, screening and referring eye care network covering hospitals and clinics in the rural area of China.

Standard Chartered Bank

July 27, 2017

Standard Chartered supports Orbis’s “Seeing Is Believing” global community fundraising project which aims to serve China's blind population.

AAAASFI

July 27, 2017

AAAASFI’s accreditation programs standardize and improve the quality of medical and surgical care.

Avoidable blindness

July 27, 2017

Imagine losing your sight in one of the poorest regions in the world. Where would you turn for help? With few quality eye doctors, hospitals or clinics, your chances of getting the right kind of care are small. As your sight gets worse, your chances of getting an education or earning a steady income evaporate.

Orbis and the Global Goals

July 28, 2017

In September 2015, 193 countries adopted a set of ambitious Sustainable Development Goals, aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity for all.

What we do

July 28, 2017

With your help, we can ensure everyone has access to quality eye care, no matter where they live.

Country Programs

July 28, 2017

By working with partners across the health service to establish and strengthen existing care we help provide long-term, sustainable eye care to communities around the world. From rural areas to bustling cities, we aim to provide the tools and knowledge to help restore vision for generations to come.