2020 Impact Report | Orbis
See more
Changing the way the world sees

We believe in a world where everyone can access the eye care they need to thrive.

About
What We Do

Orbis builds strong and sustainable eye care systems globally that put treatment and prevention within reach for all.

What We Do
GIVE THE GIFT OF SIGHT

There are plenty of ways you can save sight and help fight blindness. Explore below and give someone the gift of sight today.

Donate
Close
About Us What We Do How you can help
Back Close
Changing the way the world sees

We believe in a world where everyone can access the eye care they need to thrive.

About
About Us Our History How We're Run News and Stories Our Partners & Supporters 2022 Impact Report Work For Us Contact Us
Back Close
Back Close
Back Close
HOW WE'RE RUN

We really value your contributions, but above all, we value your trust. Here's what we're doing to make sure we earn it.

Orbis Leadership Board of Directors Financial Information Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Privacy Policy Safeguarding, Trust & Transparency
Back Close
Back Close
Back Close
Back Close
Back Close
Back Close
What We Do

Orbis builds strong and sustainable eye care systems globally that put treatment and prevention within reach for all.

What We Do
What we're doing to tackle Global Blindness Focus Areas Where We Work In-Depth Eye Conditions
Back Close
Back Close
FOCUS AREAS

Training, technology, teamwork, and treatment and prevention are at the heart of everything we do. Read below to find out more about our focus areas.

Flying Eye Hospital Volunteer Faculty Country Programs Cybersight Technology and Innovation in Eye Care Community Outreach Partnerships and Collaboration Blindness Gender Inequality - Women & Girls Orbis and the Sustainable Development Goals
Back Close
Back Close
IN-DEPTH

Orbis is an international nonprofit delivering sight-saving programs in over 200 countries and regions worldwide so that individuals, families, and communities can thrive.

Take a deeper dive into our work here.

News and Stories Orbis and the Sustainable Development Goals 2022 Impact Report
Back Close
EYE CONDITIONS

Read more about some of the most prevalent eye conditions that Orbis and our partners are working hard to tackle.

Cataracts: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Glaucoma: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Retinopathy of Prematurity: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment What is Trachoma Disease and How Does it Cause Blindness? Strabismus: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Back Close
GIVE THE GIFT OF SIGHT

There are plenty of ways you can save sight and help fight blindness. Explore below and give someone the gift of sight today.

Donate
Donate Corporate & Foundation Giving Plane Pull for Sight Orbis Future Vision Leaders Fundraise for Orbis Volunteer Opportunities Work For Us
Back Close
Make a Donation Become a Monthly Donor Give the Gift of Sight in Your Will Donate Stocks & Securities Company Matching: Increase the Impact of Your Donation
Back Close
Back Close
Back Close
Back Close
Back Close
Back Close

2020
Impact Through Adversity

A Thank You From Our Ceo

Hello to all members of the Orbis family,

In an extraordinary year of challenge for all of us, we are proud to report Orbis found ways to respond, innovate and create impact with remarkable outcomes. The following Impact Report features some of those stories – stories ultimately made possible because of the continued generosity of our donors.

But, of course, the immediate future still holds great challenges as we navigate our way through COVID-19. So please stay tuned, and if and when you can, we hope you’ll consider continuing your support of our work. Millions of people are counting on us – and us on you. Thank you!

Lisa McKeen

CEO, Orbis Canada

View a copy of our Impact Report

View

Impact Through Adversity

Innovative Spirit Leads the Way

Our Flying Eye Hospital may not be flying, but our mission is still in flight. Following the global lock down, Orbis adapted quickly and was able to launch the first-ever virtual Flying Eye Hospital project in Bolivia. Through the year, the team provided critical training to 851 eye care workers from nine countries.
Virtual Flying Eye Hospital

A Virtual Lifeline for Doctors and Their Patients

Because of the pandemic, eye care professionals around the world were at risk of falling behind in their training. Potentially, an entire generation of eye care professionals would miss out on acquiring the advanced skills needed to change the lives of thousands of people in their communities. Cybersight made sure this did not happen.
Cybersight

No child left behind in Nepal

A change of approach to our REACH projects meant children were still able to safely receive vital eye examinations. In just over two months, Orbis screened 12,000 children referring 340 a doctor for further examination. Of those children, 151 required some form of treatment and 140 children received a pair of spectacles.
Screening Children in Nepal

Breaking the cycle

Amid the pandemic, Orbis was the only NGO to fully carry out our planned mass drug administration programs to fight trachoma, the leading infectious cause of blindness in the world.
Ending trachoma in Ethiopia

Changing the Landscape of Child Eye Care in Bangladesh

In December 2020, Orbis completed a milestone project in Bangladesh. Launched in 2013 with support from the Donner Canadian Foundation, the National Childhood Blindness Project (NCBP) has created access to critical pediatric eye care services for more than 40 million children.
National Childhood Blindness Project

Saving sight in new ways

The need for emergency eye care did not stop during the pandemic. Fortunately, Orbis was able to quickly adapt strategies and approaches which enabled our teams across the world to continue saving sight and providing treatment.
Continuing to provide treatment

Canadians Making a Difference

No Plane Pull, No Problem

With in-person events cancelled due to the pandemic, our annual Plane Pull for Sight fundraiser, supported by FedEx Canada, went virtual in 2020. Instead of pulling a 60-tonne FedEx 757 cargo plane across the tarmac, teams enjoyed a virtual flight on board the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital.
Join the (virtual) party

Orbis Future Vision Leaders

An inspiring new online community has emerged. Medical students with an interest in global eye care and ophthalmology from across Canada, have come together with the aim of raising awareness and funds to support our work now and long into the future.
The future of Canadian eye care

The global launch of Sightlines

SIGHTLINES is a new Orbis Video Podcast series hosted by Dr. Hunter Cherwek, Orbis's Vice President of Clinical Services. The series discusses the global fight against blindness, how COVID-19 is impacting that fight, and how Orbis is innovating to overcome and move forward.
Watch

Thank You for Your Support Throughout 2020

Close the modal
Loading
Sorry there was an error.
Try again