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April 21, 2017

Happy New Year from Orbis – we have huge plans for 2018!

January 03, 2018

It’s Ann-Marie here, NHS ophthalmic nurse and, for over a decade now, medical volunteer for Orbis. As another year begins, I wanted to write and tell all our supporters about Orbis’s exciting plans for 2018.

Operation Sight update from an amazing volunteer

November 23, 2017

My name is Ann-Marie Ablett – I’m an NHS nurse and an intrepid Orbis medical volunteer. As I write this, I’m on my way back to the UK after two weeks in Kolkata, India, where I was training ophthalmic teams in some of the most effective and cutting-edge sterilisation techniques.

CNBC Features the Flying Eye Hospital

November 29, 2017

A big thanks to CNBC International who made this great video about our amazing Flying Eye Hospital. The short video features Bruce Johnson, Director of Aircraft Operations and Maintenance, giving a walk through of our MD-10 aircraft to CNBC reporter, Tom Chitty.

CNN step on board the Flying Eye Hospital

December 06, 2017

CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta steps on board the amazing Flying Eye Hospital during its recent visit to Cameroon. The three part series can be watched below. A big thanks to CNN and everyone who made the this possible.

Volunteer stories: Ann-Marie Ablett, clinical nurse lead

December 07, 2017

I have just returned from my 32nd project as a medical volunteer for Orbis. This wasn’t a Flying Eye Hospital visit (the plane was in Cameroon) but rather a special project in Kolkata, India, where I was helping train local medical teams in the best and most up-to-date techniques for sterilising surgical tools and preventing infection.

Childhood vision

December 18, 2017

Shockingly, across the world there are nearly 30 million adults and children who are blind – needlessly. Through our Flying Eye Hospital, expert medical volunteers, hospital partners and local eye care programmes, we have the tools and expertise to train and treat those who need our help the most.

Patient stories: treating Ismail, India, for retinopathy of prematurity

December 19, 2017

Having been born prematurely, Ismail suffered with loss of vision from birth. Thanks to your support, Ismail and his family are very positive about their future.

FlightSafety International sends Alcon Flying High in Farnborough

December 19, 2017

It was a beautiful day at Farnborough Airport, but whilst the views of the private jets across the taxiway from the FlightSafety International Centre were impressive on arrival, the more amazing sights lay inside.

Flying Eye Hospital returns from Bangladesh - roll on 2018!

December 20, 2017

The Flying Eye Hospital has just returned from its final journey of the year – a two-week programme in Chittagong, Bangladesh. We were honoured that HRH The Countess of Wessex joined us to celebrate the amazing work of the dedicated Orbis teams in Dhaka and Chittagong.

Qatar Airways

January 05, 2018

Qatar Airways has been the official airline of Orbis UK since 2015.

Your support helps Suhati see

November 21, 2017

Yesterday marked Universal Children's Day – a moment to remember the rights of children such as access to healthcare, and education.

3 Continents, 5 Countries and 15 Weeks of Training Ahead

January 18, 2018

The Flying Eye Hospital crew is ready and excited for another exciting year on board our unique aircraft. In the upcoming 2018 year, we will be on three continents for a total of 15 weeks of training!

Gransnet meets Orbis patients in Cameroon

January 22, 2018

Cari Rosen is author, writer and editor of Gransnet – a social networking site for the over 50s. She recently visited the Flying Eye Hospital and our partners in Yaoundé, Cameroon, to meet women losing their sight and join our medical volunteers while they trained local doctors.

Patient stories: treating Honorine, Cameroon, for cataract

January 24, 2018

Honorine’s cataract was so severe that she could no longer cook or sew. While Honorine still worked, she could barely see the machete she used as a peanut and maize farmer, so was terrified she would hurt herself. That all changed after she underwent sight-saving treatment on our Flying Eye Hospital in Cameroon

Visions of Zambia: Free portrait exhibition celebrates Orbis work

February 07, 2018

To help raise awareness of childhood blindness, figurative artist Tim Benson has collaborated with Orbis to help share the stories of children and adults in Zambia with eye conditions such as cataracts and squints through painted portraits.

Making progress on avoidable blindness

January 29, 2018

On World Sight Day 2017, the latest figures on the global prevalence of visual impairment were published online.

Operation Sight so far

January 29, 2018

The support for Operation Sight has been really encouraging. The generosity of supporters like you means that in 2017 we were able to achieve so much together.

Royal Visit to Orbis’s Work

January 29, 2018

In November, Her Royal Highness, The Countess of Wessex, visited our sight-saving work in Bangladesh. The first stop was Ispahani Islamia Eye Institute & Hospital in Dhaka. There she met patients and staff including Head Nurse, Mammoth Adhikary, who took part in our first Flying Eye Hospital programme in Bangladesh in 1985!

Patient stories: treating Moline, Cameroon, for cataracts

January 29, 2018

Mama Moline is 58 and a grandmother of 12. She arrived at Yaoundé Central Hospital on the first day of the Flying Eye Hospital’s visit. Her vision was extremely limited.

In photos: How Honorine is living life again

January 31, 2018

Six weeks after a successful surgery on our Flying Eye Hospital to treat a painful cataract in her left eye, we paid a visit to grandmother-of-four Honorine, 60, in Yaoundé, Cameroon, to find out how she was getting on.

Countess of Wessex Visits the Flying Eye Hospital

November 21, 2017

The Countess of Wessex visited the Flying Eye Hospital and two partner hospitals during her tour of Bangladesh to help raise awareness of avoidable blindness.

In remembrance of Simon Speirs

November 20, 2017

It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of Simon Speirs, who was fundraising for Orbis while taking part in the Clipper Round the World Race.

Hortance Manjo, Orbis Country Representative, Cameroon

February 19, 2018

Hortance is the dynamic face and heart of Orbis in Cameroon. She thrives on breaking barriers and overcoming challenges that impact the lives of people who would otherwise be unable to access quality care. Her role is diverse and yet she handles the pressure and manages all her interactions with a grace and integrity that embodies the Orbis Values.

Stephen Pau takes on toughest challenge yet for Orbis

July 20, 2015

Stephen Pau has been supporting Orbis for over seven years. Most recently taking on the London Marathon in 2014 where he achieved an exceptional four hour run time and smashed his fundraising target, raising close to GBP 3,000 for Orbis’s sight saving work.

Allan Thompson

August 14, 2017

ALLAN THOMPSON – Director of External Relations

Rebecca Cronin

August 14, 2017

REBECCA CRONIN – CEO of Orbis UK

David Bennett

August 14, 2017

DAVID BENNETT – Head of Programme Support

NUMBER OF BLIND PEOPLE SET TO TRIPLE BY 2050

August 15, 2017

New figures suggest the number of people who are blind globally could triple by 2050.

Patient stories: treating Hamida, Bangladesh, for cataracts

August 16, 2017

Hamida had cataracts in both eyes which prevented her from earning a living. Thanks to the generosity of Orbis supporters, we were able to give Hamida a new lease of life.

OPERATION SIGHT HAS TAKEN OFF

August 23, 2017

Following on from the success of Vision for Zambia, Operation Sight is our most ambitious campaign yet.

LOCAL DOCTOR TO GLOBAL TEACHER

August 23, 2017

In Vietnam we caught up with Dr Luu, an anaesthetist from Da Nang Eye Hospital and Dr Andrew Choyce, our staff anaesthetist.

VISION FOR ZAMBIA

August 23, 2017

Vision for Zambia was Orbis UK’s biggest campaign yet, all thanks to you. We raised £1.9M during the DFID matched giving period between November 2015 and February 2016.

Orbis supporter going the extra mile

September 12, 2016

This is Stephen Pau who's been part of the Orbis family for over eight years now. Stephen is a huge inspiration to us all here at Orbis with his heroic fundraising efforts.

Authors raise more than £3,000 for Orbis through book sales

October 24, 2016

John F O’Connell and George Williams have generously donated more than £3,700 in royalties from their book, Air Transport in the 21st Century, helping Orbis tackle preventable blindness in the developing world.

Orbis Africa redirect

November 20, 2017

Dr. Rishi Raj Borah recognised as an Eye Health Hero by IAPB

September 11, 2017

After a decade of work growing Orbis’s partnership network in India, Dr. Rishi Raj Borah has been named an Eye Health Hero by the International Association for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).

EURETINA Race raises €3,570

September 18, 2017

On Saturday 9th September 120 runners took part in the 5km Retina Race in aid of Orbis, which this year was held in the vibrant city of Barcelona, raising an incredible €3,570 towards our sight saving work.

Aviation Festival Europe

October 05, 2017

Orbis was privileged to be selected as the charity partner of this world leading aviation business and technology show in 2017 and are delighted to have been chosen again to partner for 2018.

Aerospares 2000

October 05, 2017

Aerospares 2000 has committed to a partnership with Orbis UK and the Flying Eye Hospital from 2017-2020. Making a donation to Orbis for every sale, Aerospares 2000 is proud to be supporting Operation Sight, Orbis UK’s most ambitious campaign to date.

World Sight Day: new statistics highlight need to increase efforts

October 11, 2017

On World Sight Day 2017, the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) have released the most up-to-date figures on the prevalence of blindness and visual impairment around the world.

Give the gift of sight this Christmas

November 09, 2017

Ann-Marie Ablett is a medical volunteer with Orbis. She’s been on an incredible 31 Orbis missions – taking time out from her NHS job as an ophthalmic nurse to go and help save people’s sight in some of the world’s poorest countries.

Maples

November 16, 2017

Novus

November 16, 2017

Flying Eye Hospital arrives in Bangladesh

November 17, 2017

The Flying Eye Hospital has arrived in Bangladesh on the final leg of its 2017 tour. Its goal, to raise awareness of the issue of childhood blindness and train local eye teams in the latest eye care techniques.

Peter Maddox: Development Associate, Orbis Canada

February 19, 2018

Peter was recognized because he is an excellent collaborator with colleagues around the world. He is immensely proud to work at Orbis and shows his determination to make a contribution in the fight to end blindness.

Rishi Ray Borah: Director of Program, Orbis India

February 19, 2018

Rishi was named as one of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness
(IAPB)’s Eye Health Heroes in 2017, but he has long been a hero of the Orbis team.

Trusts and Foundations

August 10, 2017

Trusts and foundations play a crucial role helping bring people together to fight avoidable blindness.

Orbis holds first ever live video consultation with Syrian doctor

July 16, 2018

Volunteer Faculty member Professor Dan Neely held a live video consultation with a doctor in Syria last week, using technology to help Orbis have an impact in otherwise unreachable locations.

Dr Alessia Adduci

June 11, 2018

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

Dr Elizabeth Castro

June 11, 2018

Technical Support Specialist, Alco Laboratories Inc. California.

Supporting Orbis: Amazon triples donations in June

June 15, 2018

Orbis supporters who shop with AmazonSmile can triple their charitable donations from June 15-29

Orbis UK is on the move!

June 25, 2018

Find out more about our office move and how to get in touch with us at our new location.

Aerospares 2000 raises £1,307 for Orbis’s Sight Saving Work

June 14, 2018

UK based Aerospares 2000, which sources specialist plane parts for the aviation industry, is donating $1 from every sale to Orbis until 2020. Since the company began its support at the end of 2017, over £1,300 has been raised to assist our work, with donations increasing each quarter.

Delivering eye care to Rohingya people in Bangladesh

June 19, 2018

Since February 2018, Orbis has been screening and treating Rohingya people in South East Bangladesh as the first eye care organisation to establish services within the camps.

Vulnerable Supporters Policy

June 27, 2018

Read about how we abide by the Institute of Fundraising Principles in our Vulnerable Supporters Policy.

UK Aid helps expand sight-saving work in Ethiopia

July 12, 2018

Orbis UK is delighted to have been chosen as one of 30 charities to receive a UK Aid Direct grant from the UK government. The grant will enable us to extend our vital sight-saving work in Ethiopia, where almost two million people are visually impaired.

Celebrating 20 years of fighting blindness in Ethiopia

July 31, 2018

Orbis UK is proud to announce a huge milestone – Orbis has been fighting blindness in Ethiopia for 20 years. Orbis's Addis Ababa office was officially registered in 1998 and became the very first programme office outside the United States.

Dr Kakarla V. Chalam

June 11, 2018

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

UK hosts its first ever Global Disability Summit

July 23, 2018

The Global Disability Summit is taking place in London in July and is bringing together governments, multilaterals, private sector and civil society to drive real change in ensuring the rights, freedoms, dignity and inclusion of all persons with disabilities.

Glasses study shows huge productivity boost for workers

July 23, 2018

A landmark study, published today in The Lancet Global Health, shows how a simple pair of glasses can boost workers’ productivity and reduce poverty.

Prime Minister recognises Orbis volunteer Polly Holt with award

July 26, 2018

Orbis UK’s very own Polly Holt, who has volunteered with us for over eight years, has been recognised by Prime Minister Theresa May for her ongoing dedication and support.

Supporter stories: Anne-Marie and the Great Ethiopian Run

July 27, 2018

Flying Eye Hospital touches down in Mongolia

August 13, 2018

The Flying Eye Hospital is now in Ulaanbaatar for its eighth visit, running a three-week national ophthalmic training programme.

Orbis fundraiser Simon Speirs' family cycle London to Paris in his memory

August 15, 2018

The family of Orbis UK supporter Simon Speirs is taking on a London to Paris cycle challenge in his memory this weekend

Tackling trachoma in Ethiopia: a World Water Week update

August 28, 2018

​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.

Job applicant privacy notice

September 03, 2018

Orbis UK is aware of its obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and is committed to processing your data securely and transparently. This privacy notice sets out, in line with GDPR, the types of data that we collect and hold on you as a job applicant.

Senior Communications Officer

September 10, 2018

Orbis UK seeks a motivated and creative Senior Communications Officer to join our small but ambitious communications team. The position comes at an exciting time for the charity as our three year objectives are crafted and defined, therefore the individual will have the opportunity to feed into the forward planning of the organisation.

Dr Nathan Schwarts

June 11, 2018

Red Lion Surgery Center, Philadelphia

Dr Rudy Wagner

June 11, 2018

Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

OCULUS Surgical

March 09, 2018

OCULUS Surgical has supported Orbis since 2017 with the donation of a OCULUS BIOM® system for the Flying Eye Hospital.

Preventing blindness: Orbis UK's World Health Day

April 06, 2018

This World Health Day we're calling for the right people to have the right skills to provide quality eye health care to those that need it

#IWD - Women are more affected by avoidable blindness than men

March 08, 2018

On International Women’s Day, Orbis is joining calls for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls the world over.

Orbis supporter, Stephen Pau, takes on 100 mile challenge

March 08, 2018

Fancy running 100 miles? Our fantastic supporter Stephen Pau does!

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.

Focus on volunteering: Dr Luu, Vietnam, paediatric anaesthetist

March 13, 2018

Dr Luu was trained by Orbis volunteer, Dr Choyce and become an Orbis volunteer herself

Spotlight: Visions of Zambia

March 15, 2018

You’ll have heard by now that talented figurative artist Tim Benson has collaborated with Orbis to share the stories of children and adults in Zambia with eye conditions, and the health staff trained by Orbis medical volunteers. The striking portraits he has created are now on show at the Mall Galleries, London, until the 17th March 2018.

Visions of Zambia: Portrait exhibition a success

March 29, 2018

Hundreds attended the inspiring portrait exhibition at the Mall galleries.

Patient stories: treating Mamush, Ethiopia, for cataracts

October 10, 2017

Mamush lives in Hadiya Zone in southern Ethiopia. When he was just eight years old, a white spot began to grow in the centre of one of his eyes. Eventually, two white spots had grown in both eyes – bilateral cataracts.

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 right across the region.

Video: Changing the way the world sees

April 05, 2018

This Saturday 7th April is World Health Day! To commemorate we've put together a short video celebrating the contributions of our supporters and partners. Please take a moment to watch and share.

Passenger Experience Week selects Orbis as Charity Partner

April 09, 2018

As Charity Partner, Passenger Experience Week provides Orbis with an incredible opportunity to raise funds and awareness in the aviation industry.

Dr Michael Vrabec

June 11, 2018

Clinical Instructor of Ophthalmology

Unveiling new technology on board the Flying Eye Hospital

April 10, 2018

We have entered week two of our Flying Eye Hospital program in Trujillo, Peru. It’s been an eventful first week working alongside our partner Instituto Regional de Oftalmología (IRO) helping train and share skills with some truly inspirational people.

Orbis marathon heroes: Long time supporter James

April 17, 2018

James Buchanan is running his first, and only, marathon for Orbis this April. He felt at the age of 59 it was time to make his lifelong ambition a reality.

As a long-time runner and supporter of Orbis (since 2007), he felt which better charity for him to run for.

Vintage footage of Orbis through the years

May 02, 2018

This is an AMAZING video put together by an Orbis supporter featuring vintage footage of our Flying Eye Hospital in the news in the 70s and 80s. You’ll see ‘Project Orbis’ in Cuba during the Cold War, improving relations between the Turks and Greeks in Cyprus and even hosting Mother Theresa.

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 avoidable 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.

Celebrating nurses worldwide on International Nurses Day

May 11, 2018

This International Nurses Day, Alex Duffy, Advocacy Officer celebrates nurses worldwide and talks through how they have made a difference to eye health.

Angeline Chaipa on volunteering for Orbis

May 11, 2018

Did you know that 90% of healthcare is delivered by nurses? They’re an amazing and important workforce. Nurse Angeline Chaipa from Moorfields Eye Hospital, began volunteering with Orbis last year To celebrate International Nurses Day we are revisiting a blog she wrote whilst on her very first volunteer assignment with Orbis.

Bristol men’s 45-mile challenge in memory of Orbis fundraiser Simon Speirs

May 23, 2018

Two fundraisers have raced an incredible 45 miles in extreme conditions for their former work colleague, Simon Speirs, who sadly died in 2017, while raising money for Orbis in The Clipper Round the World Race.

Dr William Dean

June 11, 2018

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

Dr Elethia Dean

June 11, 2018

Nursing Certification, Consultant, ASC Compliant LLC.

Privacy policy

August 11, 2017

Orbis UK is committed to protecting the privacy of your data. This policy (together with any other documents referred to) sets out the basis on which any personal data we collect from you, or that you provide to us, will be processed by us.

In Memory & Celebration

August 10, 2017

Site Map

September 12, 2016

Financials

May 23, 2017

Orbis depends on caring individuals, companies and foundations to help treat and train eye care teams around the world. To find out more about the funds we raise and how we spend your money, please look at annual reports below.

Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda

May 18, 2017

Across Africa, an estimated 4.8 million people are blind and another 16.6 million are visually impaired.

The gift of sight

May 19, 2017

You can change lives with the gift of sight

Fundraise

May 19, 2017

There are loads of fun ways you can help fight blindness around the world, here are just a few examples. Please get in touch with any more suggestions and our team will be more than happy to help.

Transparency and accountability

May 19, 2017

At Orbis, everything we do is guided by our vision to transform lives through the prevention and treatment of blindness.

We have high standards for how we achieve this. Here you will find information on how we keep people safe, our financial accountability and our involvement in the International Aid Transparency Initiative.