Introduction to Orbis and the Flying Eye Hospital
Orbis is a leading global non-governmental organization that has worked to transform lives through the prevention and treatment of blindness for over 35 years. With our network of partners, we mentor, train and inspire local teams so they can save sight in their communities.
Orbis is headquartered in the U.S., operates 15 international offices, and has worked in over 90 countries since 1982. Alongside local hospitals, universities, government agencies and ministries of health, Orbis provides hands-on ophthalmology training, strengthens healthcare infrastructure and advocates for the prioritization of eye health on public health agendas.
Orbis operates the world’s only Flying Eye Hospital, a fully accredited ophthalmic teaching hospital on board an MD-10 aircraft. It is a teacher, envoy and advocate that brings world-class training and much needed attention to eye health around the world.
- As a teacher, it is complete with state-of-the-art operating,
sub-sterile, patient recovery and laser treatment rooms, so that local
doctors, nurses and medics benefit from hands-on training from our
Volunteer Faculty. Teaching is also recorded and linked via AV broadcast
technology to the 46-seat classroom.
As well as training on the plane, we provide continuing medical education to eye care teams around the world. Our teams work with our local partners at their institutions to ensure skills are embedded and implemented into their settings. - As an envoy, we garner media attention and push out vital public
health and prevention messages through the Flying Eye Hospital,
enlisting more people to fight blindness with us.
- As an advocate, the Flying Eye Hospital helps us engage on a high level with governments, presidents, philanthropists and other influential people to make the case for investing in eye health as a powerful tool to eliminate poverty.
Our third-generation Flying Eye Hospital has been made possible through the tremendous support, passion and input of our partners and donors. It is a powerful fusion of medical and aviation technology and would not have been possible without the passion and financial support of all our generous donors and our global partners, including FedEx, who donated the aircraft to us.
