The impact of Orbis International’s Flying Eye Hospital continues even after the aircraft has left a country. Although Johnson recognized the current aircraft could perform for 15 more years, the organization is thinking of the longer-term. Johnson also said that while this MD-10 was launched as recently as 2016, the organization is looking forward to obtaining its fourth-generation aircraft.

We are so proud to be associated with such a world-class organization that makes a profound difference in people’s lives every day.”īruce Johnson, director of aircraft operations for Orbis, told AIN during a tour of the aircraft that the success of Orbis is leading the company towards expanding its program to more low-income countries. It will enable them to get in the field faster and make a difference faster. “The mobile simulation center will help Orbis widen its influence by offering training to more volunteer medical professionals in even more remote areas. “Orbis and the Flying Eye Hospital have made a tremendous impact on the world by restoring vision to hundreds of thousands of people in need,” said UTC president Dave Gitlin. Meanwhile, UTC Aerospace’s $1 million contribution, which was announced at the Paris Airshow in June, will go towards establishing a mobile simulation center outfitted for the aircraft.

In announcing its FBO at Al Maktoum International Airport earlier this week, ExecuJet will provide FBO handling support for the Flying Eye Hospital. Orbis continues to expand its partnerships with universities and organizations around the world.

One of the last rooms on the aircraft is a recovery room that is manned with teddy bears whose eye patches mimic patients’ operations as a way to comfort young children. Fitted with eye-exam equipment, the laser room also acts as a holding area for patients about to go into surgery in the operating room, which allows for hands-on training.Īccording to the organization, more than 300,000 eye and laser procedures have been performed on the aircraft and at partner hospitals between 20. These allow doctors to practice eye surgery such as cataract removal. One of the next sections is the audio-visual room where surgeries are broadcast live for others to see.įurther along the aircraft is the laser room, which holds surgery simulators. According to Orbis, approximately 40,000 doctors have completed training on the aircraft and at partner institutes such as local hospitals and universities. The front section is a 46-seat classroom where doctors, nurses, teachers and others attend lectures and watch training videos. The non-profit organization is currently involved in 61 projects in 18 countries including Peru, Cameroon, Ethiopia and China.ĭonated by FedEx, Orbis's MD-10 has been gutted and refurbished with all the equipment needed to train local teams and complete eye exams and surgeries.

The company launched its third-generation Flying Eye Hospital in 2016 to train local surgeons to better care for their patients while promoting eye care and global health. While many take eye care for granted, Orbis International is looking out for the 89 percent of visually impaired people who live in low- and middle-income countries. More than 200 million people around the world are visually impaired.

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