ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital

The gift of good eye care is something that we in the developed world often take for granted.  When we need more than glasses, the skills and facilities are available. This is not the case in much of the world.  The World Health Organization estimates that close to 40 million people are blind and another 280 million people are visually impaired.  Developing nations account for 90% of these individuals.  It is estimated that 80% of the world’s blindness can be cured.  ORBIS provides a solution.  They have a DC 10 that has been converted into a Flying Eye Hospital.  I had an opportunity to tour this amazing plane at LAX.  It contains a laser treatment room, operating room, recovery room, classroom and other facilities.  Not only does this plane deliver a needed surgical facility where ground based options don’t exist, it is also a training hospital.  One of its primary functions is to train local doctors, nurses and technicians so when the plane departs, affordable, accessible and sustainable quality eye care remains locally.  Since 1982, the Flying Eye Hospital has traveled to 78 countries and last year alone trained 28,000 eye care professionals and provided care for more than 3 million people.  ORBIS does amazing work saving sight worldwide.
www.orbis.org