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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.

Ethiopia: Flying Eye Hospital program 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.

Mongolia: Flying Eye Hospital wrap-up

September 18, 2018

The Flying Eye Hospital left Mongolia earlier this month following the completion of another memorable and successful project. This three-week project was the eighth time the Flying Eye Hospital was in Ulaanbaatar and it lived up to its reputation for being one of the most distinct, hospitable and special project locations.

Canadian Volunteer Faculty member, Dr. Simon Holland, wins Prestigious Award

October 02, 2018

Longtime Canadian Orbis Volunteer Faculty member, Dr. Simon Holland, is the recipient of the prestigious Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada's 2018 Mentor of the Year Award, Region 1.

Flying Eye Hospital lands in Ethiopia for World Sight Day

October 05, 2018

The Flying Eye Hospital has landed in Ethiopia ️to celebrate World Sight Day and our 20th anniversary of saving sight in the country. We'll be working alongside our partners - the Federal Ministry of Health and the Ophthalmological Society of Ethiopia - to conduct a three-week training program to improve the skills of local eye care teams.

World Sight Day 2018 - #WhyICare

October 08, 2018

Thursday, October 11 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tackling trachoma in Ethiopia: a World Water Week update

August 20, 2019

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

INTERACTIVE TIMELINE: 20 YEARS IN ETHIOPIA

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.

Orbis saved my sight - twice

November 06, 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. One woman, who is no stranger to our sight-saving work is Obito. Eight years ago, she underwent surgery to treat trachoma trichiasis (TT) - a painful blinding disease. Unfortunately, she has caught it again.

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.

OBAT Canada

In 2018, Orbis Canada received a matching pledge from OBAT Canada that will provide more than 1,300 eye surgeries, laser treatments and other sight-saving procedures to help ensure that no Rohingya man, woman or child loses their sight to a treatable or preventable condition.

Birketo can see his grandson again

December 10, 2018

As we’re celebrating two decades of sight-saving work in Ethiopia we’re sharing stories of the lives being transformed thanks to the Orbis family. One of the people we caught up with is Birketo. He was almost totally blind for three years but thanks to an Orbis-sponsored cataract program he can now see again.

Meet the bear with the best job ever!

December 19, 2018

Our volunteers fly all over the world to fight avoidable blindness. But, while they’re giving the gift of sight, there’s a particularly fluffy member of our team making a different kind of impact…

What's in your eye?

December 20, 2018

The human eye is an amazing organ! Let’s take an in-sight-ful look at what’s actually happening inside your eye. Warning: this article couldn’t be cornea... see what we did there?

Explore the History of the Flying Eye Hospital

For more than 35 years, the Flying Eye Hospital has been at the cutting edge of aviation, technology and change – bringing vital eye care to thousands of people worldwide.

Combining tech & hands-on training to help more people see

March 25, 2019

Here at Orbis, we recognize that the need for innovative technologies and global collaboration is more important than ever in the fight against avoidable blindness. That's why we've developed special 'blended learning' courses - alongside partners such as the Alcon Foundation - to boost the skills of eye care teams around the world.

Orbis and Visulytix Collaborate on New AI Technology

September 10, 2018

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

Become an Orbis Canada Partner in Sight

The time is right to become a Partner in Sight. Make 2020 the year you become an Orbis Canada monthly donor. Sign up today and save a child's sight for as little as $8 per month.

New Diabetic Retinopathy Program Launched in Bangladesh

February 21, 2019

A staggering one-third of 10 million diabetics in Bangladesh risk going blind because so many sufferers go undiagnosed. A new project in the Gopalganj district - unveiled by our CEO Bob Ranck - is dedicated to combating an explosion of blindness caused by diabetes.

Dr Kakarla V. Chalam

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

Planned Giving

Make a gift today—leave a legacy for tomorrow.

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

In Photos: Changing lives in Cameroon – Saliou

May 10, 2018

We recently returned from a trip to Cameroon to learn how Orbis is transforming lives of people with blindness. There, we met a handful of the 150,000 people, who have lost their sight in the country. Cameroon has the fifth highest prevalence of blindness in the world and so much of this is avoidable.

International Nurses Day: A Cause Worth Celebrating

May 10, 2018

Every day it seems we are celebrating some kind of 'national' or 'international' day, whether it’s National Eraser Day, or International Wiggle Your Toes Day. But once in a while, there's a day that is truly worth honouring. Saturday, May 12 is International Nurses Day - a day when we thank nurses everywhere for all that they do.

Plane Pull for Sight Toronto Sets a Record

May 28, 2018

On Sunday, May 27, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of Plane Pull for Sight Toronto by raising a record-breaking $88,409 (and counting) - the highest fundraising total in the history of the event!

Dr William Dean

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

Dr Elethia Dean

Nursing Certification, Consultant, ASC Compliant LLC.

Dr Michael Vrabec

Clinical Instructor of Ophthalmology

Dr Rudy Wagner

Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

Dr Nathan Schwarts

Red Lion Surgery Center, Philadelphia

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.

Dr Alessia Adduci

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

Dr Elizabeth Castro

Technical Support Specialist, Alco Laboratories Inc. California.

Flying Eye Hospital Program wraps up in Barbados

June 11, 2018

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

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.

Plane Pull for Sight Calgary Fundraising Soars

June 18, 2018

On Saturday, June 16, Plane Pull for Sight returned to Calgary, setting a new high for fundraising with over $37,700 (and counting) raised.

Saving Sight for the Rohingya People in Bangladesh

June 20, 2018

Today - on World Refugee Day - Orbis Canada is proud to announce a new partnership with OBAT Canada that will help provide critically needed eye care for the Roynigya people in Bangladesh - a country in which more than 34.3 million people are already suffering from blindness or visual impairment.

Syrian refugee regains eyesight after surgery in Canada

July 09, 2018

Syrian refugee, Anas Schichmouse, regained his eyesight after undergoing successful surgery at the skilled hands of Canadian ophthalmologist and long-time Orbis Volunteer Faculty, Dr. Simon Holland.

Mongolia

In Mongolia, access to high quality, affordable eye care services is limited in both urban and rural areas. Lack of equipment, training and infrastructure are major barriers to adequate care and there is no comprehensive framework to treat children’s eye disease.

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.

Vote for Flying Eye Hospital Chief Pilot, Gary Dyson

February 14, 2019

We’re delighted to announce that our Chief Pilot, Captain Gary Dyson, has been nominated for an Endeavor Award. This prestigious award recognizes pilots who go above and beyond and give back to their communities through volunteering.

Technology & Innovation

With avoidable blindness set to triple by 2050, we need to reverse the trend before it’s too late. The old way simply isn’t working. We need to push boundaries and lead from the front of eye health innovation now, if we’re going to help ensure a brighter tomorrow.

Orbis Canada Plane Pull for Sight Celebrates 10th Anniversary in Toronto

March 29, 2018

The Orbis Canada Plane Pull for Sight celebrates its 10th anniversary in Toronto on Sunday, May 27, followed by events in Calgary on Saturday, June 16 and Vancouver on Sunday, June 24.

Vietnam: Phuong Is No Longer Teased at School

August 01, 2019

Phuong from Hoai Nhon, Vietnam, was three months old when her family first spotted her crossed-eyes. After years of wrongly being told that glasses would fix her poor vision, an Orbis-supported school screening program finally gave little Phuong and her anxious mother hope for the future.

Watch this robot.... fight blindness!

May 24, 2019

The world is on the cusp of a tech revolution and more skilled tasks are being performed by machines than ever before – like fighting avoidable blindness around the world…

Five Reasons Blindness is a Gender Issue

May 28, 2019

Gender is something that’s discussed a lot these days, but no one is talking about the gender gap in blindness – 139 million women & girls are living with blindness and vision loss. That's 25 million more women than men.

So why does this injustice exist? Here are five reasons...

See Her Potential

June 02, 2019

Blindness is a gender issue – one that leaves millions of women and girls without the same access to quality eye care that men receive. Thanks to our amazing local partners and committed supporters, we're working to close the gender blindness gap and help women and girls reach their full potential.

Update: Women Deliver 2019

June 05, 2019

We're fortunate to have some extraordinary women at the heart of the Orbis family. Right now, five of us are at the Women Deliver conference in Canada where thousands of people have come together to tackle the biggest issues women and girls face around the world.

The View From The Cockpit: 10 Questions With Captain Gary Dyson

July 18, 2019

Orbis’s Chief Pilot, Gary Dyson, quite literally leads our fight against avoidable blindness – landing our plane safely in communities around the world. We took a moment with Gary to reflect on his lifetime dedicated to giving back and changing lives.

HATCH: Making Positive Change through Plane Pull for Sight

July 22, 2019

Sporting their bright orange t-shirts, big smiles, and infectious enthusiasm, the team from Hatch have been a mainstay at our Plane Pull for Sight events in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver for the past three years.

Women Deliver: Seven Take-Aways

July 22, 2019

This June, over 8,000 extraordinary people came together at Women Deliver in Vancouver to share ideas and champion a more equal world for women across the globe. Here are some takeaways that we found inspiring:

Vietnam: Young Tam Saved From a Life of Blindness

July 30, 2019

Tam from Quy Nhon, Vietnam struggled with his vision from an early age. But thanks to your support, and the work of our Vietnam country office and partners, we were able to give Tam his sight back without any cost to his family. Tam was diagnosed with bilateral cataracts and had it not been spotted in time, he would have been blind permanently.

Vietnam: Now that Khang can see, nothing stands in his way

August 06, 2019

Six-year-old Khang from Vietnam was born with ptosis, Later, he developed a squint which - if left untreated - could cause blindness. Thanks to the help of our supporters and amazing partners who enabled him to have the two sight-saving surgeries he needed, this bright boy can look forward to a bright future.

Flying Eye Hospital Lands in Chile For State-of-the-Art Simulation Training

May 16, 2019

The Flying Eye Hospital has touched down in Santiago, Chile for the very first time ahead of its second project of 2019. Thanks to the generosity of our project sponsor, Collins Aerospace, we will focus on strengthening the skills of local teams through cutting-edge simulation training.

Flying Eye Hospital Prepares For Vietnam

August 08, 2019

Our Flying Eye Hospital staff and crew are gearing up for the next project in Hue, Vietnam, marking its 10th trip to this beautiful country. The three-week project - due to begin later this month - will be focusing on diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity and childhood blindness.

Flying Eye Hospital Lands in Vietnam

August 21, 2019

Our world-class Flying Eye Hospital has arrived in Hue, Vietnam, for a three-week teaching and training project working alongside the Ministry of Health and the Hue Eye Hospital.

Contact Us

Need help planning your multi-team event? Well, you've come to the right place. We're here to help you every step of the way.

Vietnam Flying Eye Hospital Project Wrap-Up

September 19, 2019

Our 2019 Flying Eye Hospital Project in Hue, Vietnam, has now drawn to close. The three-week project was a resounding success, thanks in no small part to the commitment and enthusiasm of our local partners from the Hue Eye Hospital.

World Sight Day: Give a Child a Reason to Smile

September 26, 2019

Thursday, October 10th is World Sight Day. We’re celebrating this important international day with a special campaign from October 1 - 14 to build awareness and raise money for our fight against the ever-growing issue of avoidable blindness and visual impairment – and we need you to join us!

Flying Eye Hospital Lands in Myanmar

September 27, 2019

The dust had barely had time to settle on the runway in Vietnam before the Flying Eye Hospital touched down for its next training project. Our staff and crew have hit the ground running in Mandalay, Myanmar where we’ve just begun a two-week training project.

CHIEF FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER - DANUSIA DZIERZBINSKI

Danusia joined the organization as CFO in September 2019 and oversees the management of Orbis Finance.

World Sight Day Special Feature: Thirst for Knowledge Fuels Orbis Volunteer

October 04, 2019

With nearly 60 Flying Eye Hospital and hospital-based training programs to his credit over the span of 18 years, Dr. Carlos Solarte has truly seen and experienced everything Orbis offers around the world.

Cataracts: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in the world, accounting for around 35% of global blindness according to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness. But what are cataracts, what are their main causes and what can be done to treat or prevent them?

The World's Only Flying Eye Hospital is Coming to Canada

May 16, 2019

From May 31 to June 11, the one-of-a-kind Orbis Flying Eye Hospital will visit Canada for an awareness-building tour, making stops in Ottawa from May 31 – June 3 and Toronto from June 9 – 11.

Denzil Can Move Forward With His Life After Cataract Surgery

May 15, 2019

According to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, over 1.1 million people suffer from vision loss in the Caribbean, with Cataract accounting for 50% of this number.

Orbis Chief Pilot Gary Dyson Wins Endeavor Award

March 04, 2019

We’re thrilled to announce our wonderful Flying Eye Hospital Chief Pilot, Gary Dyson, has won an Endeavor Award. The award recognizes pilots who go above and beyond to transform lives by volunteering their time and skills to good causes.

Plan Your Own Event

Do you want to plan your own event or online campaign to fundraise for Orbis? Whether you'd like to plan a community run, hold a neighbourhood garage sale, host a games night, take on an obstacle course race, organize a bake sale, or just mark an important milestone or occasion with an online fundraising campaign, we're here to support you!

Peter Gilgan Foundation

Thanks to the Peter Gilgan Foundation, Orbis will establish the first-ever retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening, treatment and referral service network in Bangladesh’s Chittagong and Rangpur Divisions, helping move another step closer to a national network of high-quality ROP services across the country.

Meet the Women Fighting Blindness in Bangladesh

March 07, 2019

The Singra Vision Center in Bangladesh is a unique place to go for eye care. It’s successfully run by three hardworking and dedicated eye health professionals who are all women in their 20s.

Helping Women Fight Trachoma in Ethiopia

March 07, 2019

We recently celebrated our 20th anniversary working in Ethiopia. For the past two decades, we've been part of the international consortium leading the global effort to eliminate blinding trachoma, an infectious disease that disproportionately affects women.

The Women Fighting Blindness in Zambia

March 07, 2019

In 2015, we conducted a research initiative to investigate why fewer women than men were accessing cataract surgical treatment in the Northwest province.

International Women's Day: Meet Orbis hero Valerie Suberg

March 07, 2019

In honor of International Women's Day we're delighted to introduce you to a vital member of the Orbis family - Valerie Suberg - our Senior Manager of Aircraft Maintenance. Without this incredible woman, our Flying Eye Hospital would never get off the ground - literally.

A Life Dedicated to Fighting Blindness in Mongolia

March 07, 2019

As one of the most qualified cataract ophthalmologists in Mongolia, Dr. Enkhutshin's work ethic is pretty inspiring. With the country's cataract rates so high and a cataract surgical rate the lowest in Asia, she's committed to fighting blindness in her country by sharing eye care skills with local eye care teams.

Women & Girls

Blindness is a gender issue that no one is talking about. There are 139 million women & girls living with blindness - that's 25 million more women than men. Below, we explore the reasons behind this injustice and profile some of the women who are doing something about it. After all, a brighter future for women is a brighter future for the planet.

Partnering with Influential Women in the Community

March 07, 2019

In 2017 we began partnering with 'Queen Mothers' - a group respected women who use their influential positions in their communities to help improve public awareness on eye care in Ghana.

Jamaica 2006: Building Lasting Partnerships

March 22, 2019

The first Flying Eye Hospital program of 2019 will be taking place in Jamaica at the beginning of April – marking the 8th time our crew have visited this beautiful island.

Flying Eye Hospital Lands in Jamaica

March 27, 2019

The first Flying Eye Hospital project of 2019 is under way – marking the 8th time the plane has landed in Jamaica and our 25th project in the Caribbean!

Q&A with Dr. Bradford Lee: First-Time Volunteer Faculty

May 15, 2019

Oculoplastics surgeon Dr. Bradford Lee joined the Orbis family in March 2019 to share his top class skills with local eye doctors from across the Caribbean. The former Cellist and Pianist works at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Florida. We sat down with him in Kingston to find out more about his first experience with Orbis.

Where We're Going in 2019

After a busy beginning to the year with awareness raising tours and aircraft maintenance, our Flying Eye Hospital team are preparing for more sight saving trips where they'll be taking some of the best eye teams in the business to share their skills in the communities that need it most.

Bulgan Orgilsaikhan – How an Orbis Surgery Transformed a Future

April 10, 2019

Twenty years ago in Mongolia there were no experts in tear duct surgeries, so when the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital announced a stop in the country, Bulgan’s eye doctor was quick to ask for their help. For the then 11-year-old and her family, this was a life-changing moment.

Orbis Unveils First Children’s Initiative in India’s Poorest Region

April 15, 2019

In Bihar, India, over 700,000 people are blind with just less than half unable to access sight-saving surgery. The region also has the lowest literacy rates for girls and half of the population currently lives below the poverty line.

Flying Eye Hospital Celebrates First All-Female Flight Crew

April 25, 2019

We have some exciting news! Our Flying Eye Hospital welcomed its first ever all-female flight crew last week on a flight between Kingston, Jamaica and Memphis, Tennessee.

Life on Board the Flying Eye Hospital: 10 Questions with Celia Yeung

May 14, 2019

Communications manager, Celia, has just completed her last Flying Eye Hospital project in Kingston, Jamaica. We took a moment to sit down with one of the most inspiring members of the Orbis family and reflect on her incredible work over the past seven and a half years.

Flying Eye Hospital Jamaica Project in Numbers

April 29, 2019

When you think of Jamaica, you might imagine clear waters, white sand and beautiful views. But did you know that many people in the Caribbean are suffering from treatable blinding conditions?

The Teachers Making a Difference in Eye Health

May 02, 2019

Those who can, teach. For many of the children we've worked with, it was school that first revealed issues with their sight. So as it's Teacher Appreciation Week, we're paying tribute to the wonderful, hard-working individuals who do so much to help their students. Read some of their stories below.

The Flying Eye Hospital is Coming to Ottawa

From June 1-3, our amazing Orbis Flying Eye Hospital – the only one of its kind in the world – will be visiting Ottawa. Don't miss your chance to check it out.

Jamaica: Flying Eye Hospital Project Highlights

May 15, 2019

The Flying Eye Hospital and our family of staff, crew and Volunteer Faculty have recently returned from a hugely successful 19-day program in Kingston, Jamaica.

Below we share some amazing images and brand new updates from our partners and volunteers.

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 all across the region.

Orbis featured on CBS show 'The Doctors'

March 12, 2018

The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital and star Volunteer Faculty member, 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.

Fighting Childhood Blindness in Vietnam

May 19, 2017

Volunteer Faculty

Our world renowned Volunteer Faculty are the heartbeat of our training programs, both on the Flying Eye Hospital and in partner hospitals around the world. For more than 30 years, the keystone of our work has been to teach and train eye teams to fight blindness on their own - we couldn't do it without their hard work and dedication.

Standard Chartered Bank

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

AAAASFI

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

Avoidable Blindness

Imagine losing your sight in one of the poorest regions in the world. Where would you turn for help? With very few skilled eye doctors or quality medical centres, your chances of receiving the right kind of care are minimal. As your sight gets worse, your chances of getting an education, earning a steady income, or caring for your family evaporate.

Orbis and the Global Goals

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.