Our Global Strategy

At Orbis, we know that the only way to make a lasting difference is to strengthen overall health systems so people can access the quality eye care they deserve when and where they need it. Our efforts to tackle avoidable blindness began in 1973 with Orbis’s founding and were made stronger with the launch of our first-generation Flying Eye Hospital in 1982. This was followed by the launch of in-country programs, and then the creation of our telemedicine platform, Cybersight, in the earliest days of the internet.

Our amazing team of Volunteer Faculty, medical experts who generously share their time and expertise, have gone worldwide to provide training and education to local eye care teams in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

We have continued to expand upon our Cybersight technology with a cutting-edge artificial intelligence tool for early detection of common eye diseases and embraced other innovations like simulation technology and virtual reality to enhance training opportunities for eye care teams.

As Orbis looks towards the future amidst a rapidly changing public health landscape, we are resolute in our mission to save sight around the world. Technological innovation is revolutionizing eye care delivery around the globe, unlocking new possibilities for diagnosis, treatment, and advanced clinical training. Governments and major donors are shifting their focus towards universal health coverage and integrated primary care. New financing vehicles and public-private sector alliances are transforming the funding landscape and opening new opportunities for impact. The COVID-19 pandemic has also made the work to end avoidable blindness even harder and more urgent. However, our early investments in virtual learning technology have allowed us to quickly adapt and continue serving communities in need.

These trends have made Orbis’s work more critical than ever before. Now more than ever, we must step back to look holistically at the landscape in which we operate and the rapidly shifting needs of our stakeholders, from medical professionals to government actors, funders, volunteers, and most importantly, the communities we work with.

While our organizational mission and vision remain the same, our pathways to achieving these aspirations continue to evolve to match the changing environment.

Our 2022-2026 strategy allows for a continuation of our core programming coupled with new initiatives and operational enhancements to amplify our desired impact: to increase equitable access to eye health services and improve the quality of life of the communities we work with.

We are determined not only to give people their sight back today, but also to help build a legacy of quality eye care—ensuring no one goes blind tomorrow from avoidable causes.

Improved vision and eye care can help children go to school and pursue an education, it can help someone return to work and engage in their community again, and it can improve one’s confidence and mental wellbeing – all of which leads to a more prosperous life.

The benefits of restoring sight also extend far beyond any one individual, with ripple effects that can be felt throughout entire communities.

Improving eye health services is also essential to making progress towards universal health coverage and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Good vision is essential for many aspects of life, but too many people continue to suffer the consequences of limited access to quality, affordable eye care.

Our five core focus areas, and corresponding goals outlined in this strategy, position us well to meet this challenge and support our ongoing commitment to deliver lasting and sustainable solutions for preventing and treating blindness.

Our strategy is ambitious, but we are optimistic that with measurable and realistic goals, we will achieve our vision over the next five years.

Together, we can change the way the world sees.