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Fighting Global Blindness | Orbis UK Homepage

International Women's Day: Meet Orbis hero Valerie Suberg

March 07, 2019

In honour 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.

HELPING WOMEN FIGHT TRACHOMA IN ETHIOPIA

February 01, 2020

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.

Rabi, 7: “I can see people far away!”

March 25, 2019

Rabi wants to be a policeman or teacher when he grows up, but his studies were impacted by his high myopia – a condition of near-sightedness that means he is unable to see objects at a distance of more than a few metres away. Now, after treatment and with a new pair of glasses, Rabi is looking to the future.

Bitisha, journalist in the making

March 25, 2019

Bitisha's ambition is to be a journalist, and she wants to support her parents when she grows up. The 15-year-old had always “hated family photos," due to a squint that meant her eyes were misaligned - until Orbis helped Bitisha access the surgery she needed to correct the intermittent exotropia, or strabismus, that caused her squint.

See My Future

MEET THE WOMEN FIGHTING BLINDNESS IN BANGLADESH

October 09, 2018

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.

Through the eyes of women and girls

Did you know there is a gender gap in blindness? 55% of people who are visually impaired are women. 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.

World Aviation Festival 2020

Terrapinn, a global events company promoting innovation and technology that changes people's lives, chose Orbis as their charity partner for the Aviation Festival in 2017 and has continued their support every year since then.

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 recognises pilots who go above and beyond to transform lives by volunteering their time and skills to good causes.

The women fighting blindness in Zambia

January 11, 2016

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

Kisan and Shasant can enjoy cricket again

March 25, 2019

Brothers Kisan, 12, and Shashant, 10, were both struggling with short-sightedness so severe that, according to one senior optometrist, the World Health Organisation would classify them blind. After an Orbis-funded programme revealed they had high myopia, the boys were prescribed glasses - and now life has improved dramatically.

Glenmuir

Established in Scotland in 1891, Glenmuir are purveyors of luxury golf clothing.

Gransnet

Gransnet is a social networking site for grandparents and the over 50s.

Sock Shop

Sock Shop is a British retailer of socks, underwear, hosiery and scarves. Established in 1983, offers a round-the-clock service from a historic Bolton mill, delivering to over 240 countries.

Missguided

Missguided is a bold, straight-talking and forward-thinking fashion brand that aims to empower females globally.

Fuelworx

Fuelworx, part of the Flightworx group, is a neutral and independent fuel comparison and procurement service. Orbis and Fuelworx began working together in March 2017 after Fuelworx was selected as one of Orbis’s five tender fuel companies.

ConnectJets

ConnectJets is as one of the leading private jet brokers within the UK sales and charter markets. Based in London, the company launched in 2009 and is the exclusive sales agent for Piaggio Aerospace.

Passenger Experience Week supports Orbis for the second year running

March 19, 2019

As Charity Partner for Passenger Experience Week 2019, Orbis will have an opportunity to reach new supporters and raise awareness.

A life dedicated to fighting blindness in Mongolia

February 08, 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 her top class eye care skills with local eye care teams.

The Ophthalmologist

The Ophthalmologist brings real journalism to the field of ophthalmology.

Give a donation

When you donate to Orbis you can have an enormous impact on people's lives in some of the poorest parts of the world. We'll use your gift where it's needed the most. It could help pay for a sight-restoring cataract operation, protect communities from blinding trachoma or even give a child a pair of glasses that will help them continue in school.

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.

Our Jamaica Wrap-Up 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?

Join the Orbis family and help save children from blindness

Orbis UK is a charity that brings people together to fight avoidable blindness and save the sight of people like Mariya (pictured above). We believe that no one should live a life of unnecessary blindness, simply because of where they were born. By setting up a regular gift to Orbis, you can help transform the lives of people like Mariya forever.

Ganga's new glasses are making a world of difference

May 19, 2019

16-year-old Ganga loves cooking, playing and reading with her older sister – but before an Orbis-funded school screening revealed she had high myopia, this enthusiastic young student found it difficult to see clearly enough to enjoy her hobbies.

Explore the history of the flying eye hospital

For more than 25 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.

The teachers helping students to see their future

May 07, 2019

Those who can, teach – and teachers can make a huge difference. For many of the children we've worked with, it was at school that issues with their sight were first revealed. 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.

A Q&A with Mr Adhikari: an optometrist changing lives in nepal

Mr Adhikari is the optometrist who screened Rabi’s vision and made sure he received the pair of glasses that transformed his world. Brenda Naluyima, Orbis UK's Senior Communications Officer, recently sat down with Mr Adhikari to ask him some questions and get an insight into his life-changing work.

Give a monthly donation

Giving a monthly gift to Orbis helps us give the gift of sight to those who need it the most. It’s a very efficient way to give a gift and it helps us plan where to spend the money most effectively. This all adds up to make a monthly donation to Orbis the best way you can save people’s sight in the poorest parts of the world.

Partnering with influential women in the community

January 25, 2018

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

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.

Football-loving Alexandre can get back to doing what he loves

April 23, 2019

"It was my first time to go on a plane!" Teenager Alexandre tells us what it was like to undergo cataract treatment aboard the Flying Eye Hospital – and why having the surgery was so important for him and his family.

Save a child like Rabi’s sight

Little Rabi’s world was a blur. He has high myopia, or extreme short-sightedness, and it was affecting his life both at school and at home.

Help a child continue their education

For children struggling with high myopia (being severely short-sighted), school can be a real challenge. It can make it difficult to do many of the things people take for granted – like being able to see the whiteboard, read textbooks, or even play with their friends.

Orbis in Nepal - an urgent need to screen children's sight

April 25, 2019

We are a month into our See My Future appeal and with the UK government doubling all public donations before 23rd June, your generosity is helping us change lives. All the money matched will go towards expanding our project in Nepal, which screens and treats children with sight loss, enabling them to attend school and face a brighter future.

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.

Peter Kerly gets set for his fifth London Marathon

April 08, 2019

63-year-old Peter Kerly from Kent is busy fundraising for Orbis ahead of the London Marathon next month - and this year, for the first time ever, he will be running alongside his son.

UK government doubles all donations for Orbis See My Future appeal

March 25, 2019

Give before 23rd June and all public donations to our See My Future appeal will be doubled by the UK government. Your gift will help bring clear vision to twice as many people around the world. Donate today, and double your impact.

Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance is one of the world's pre-eminent law firms, working across five continents.

B&M

B&M is one of the UK's leading variety retailers, with over 600 stores and 28,000 staff. Every week, more than 3 million shoppers visit a B&M store.

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.

Vulnerable Supporters Policy

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

Supporter stories: Anne-Marie and the Great Ethiopian Run

July 27, 2018

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Dr Elizabeth Castro

Technical Support Specialist, Alco Laboratories Inc. California.

Dr Alessia Adduci

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

Dr Nathan Schwarts

Red Lion Surgery Center, Philadelphia

Dr Kakarla V. Chalam

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

Diabetes Week: the hidden risk of blindness

June 10, 2019

This Diabetes Week we’re shining a spotlight on the role that the Orbis family plays in eliminating one of the fastest growing causes of avoidable blindness – diabetic retinopathy.

Job applicant privacy notice

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.

Belledorm

Established over 30 years ago in Manchester - home of the UK textile industry - Belledorm is one of the largest suppliers of home linen in the country. The company operates out of the iconic Kearsley Mill, a 19th Century textile mill.

Meet Abiyot: Integrated Eye Care Worker, Ethiopia

November 22, 2018

Abiyot is an Integrated Eye Care Worker in Gamo Gofa, Ethiopia, where he grew up. He lives there with his wife and four children. Trained just two years ago, he has made a significant impact on his community already.

What's in your eye?

January 24, 2019

The human eye is an amazing organ. Here we take a look at what’s actually happening inside your eye.

Industrial Optimizers

Industrial Optimizers has committed to supporting Orbis UK, kick-starting the partnership with a donation of £1000.

Great Ethiopian Run: visiting Gamo Gofa

December 19, 2018

​Travelling to Ethiopia for the Great Ethiopian Run was incredible and a lot of fun. But visiting Gamo Gofa, runner Emma says in her second blog, was the most memorable and moving part of the trip.

Great Ethiopian Run: Emma's story

December 17, 2018

​For the very first time, Orbis UK sent a team of runners out from the UK to take part in the Great Ethiopian Run. Here, runner Emma tells us all about the experience.

Patient stories: treating Aylito, Ethiopia, for trachoma

December 11, 2018

Aylito underwent trachoma surgery in 2013 to save the sight in her right eye. We caught up with her in 2018, five years on, to try and understand the effect that this Orbis intervention has had on her life.

Patient stories: treating Malate, Ethiopia, for trachoma

February 01, 2020

Mother of two Malate had been suffering with trachoma for a year without seeking help for fear of the cost. When she met Abiyot, an Orbis-trained Integrated Eye Care Worker, everything changed. Now, having undergone trachomatous trichiasis surgery, Malate is excited to start this new chapter in her life.

Eye care in Ethiopia: Banchi, schoolteacher

December 11, 2018

One of the many life-changing initiatives Orbis has spearheaded in Ethiopia to improve eye care and vision loss, is treating and preventing the spread of trachoma in schools.

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 and Visulytix collaborate on new AI technology

September 12, 2018

Orbis is collaborating with AI company Visulytix to apply their imaging technology to Orbis's telemedicine platform Cybersight.

Supporter Stories: Meet some of our Great Ethiopian Run Heroes

November 13, 2018

To celebrate 20 years of working in Ethiopia, we will have some of our amazing supporters and corporate partners join us for this year’s Great Ethiopian Run.

Eyewitness magazine

Welcome to the online version of our Eyewitness magazine. Inside this edition, you'll find: Total amount raised by See My Future; Volunteer profile; and A crisis in sight?

Orbis in Ethiopia: 20 years of fighting avoidable blindness

October 25, 2018

Last night Orbis UK marked 20 years of fighting blindness in Ethiopia with an event in London to thank the supporters, volunteers and partners who’ve made our work in the country possible.

Tom Davies's World Sight Month

October 12, 2018

Eyeware designer Tom Davies launches World Sight Month to support Orbis

World Sight Day - #WhyICare

October 09, 2018

Thursday 11th October is World Sight Day and we're taking the opportunity to ask our supporters and partners to tell us why they care about eye care - #WhyICare.

Life in colour: how the Flying Eye Hospital gave Trinh back her future

October 04, 2018

Trinh used to have a severe case of strabismus, which affected her vision. She was operated on at the Flying Eye Hospital, and the operation was a complete success. Looking at her now, you would never know that she had undergone surgery on both eyes.

Give the gift of sight - Trinh

NTD photo contest: Orbis joint winner

September 20, 2018

A photo beautifully capturing Orbis’s sight-saving work is the joint winner of a photo competition aiming to raise awareness of the work being done to beat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) around the world

Celebrating Saraswati Puja with Megha

May 22, 2019

Megha, aged 12, loves reading and she wants to be a teacher when she grows up. But when problems with her vision – problems she didn't even realise she was having, until an Orbis-funded REACH screening revealed them – started to impact her school performance, she needed help.

Flying Eye Hospital - Take A Tour

Find out more about this amazing aircraft or take a virtual reality tour - the next best thing to visiting it in person.

Dr William Dean

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

Suneez

Suneez children’s sunglasses creators, have been supporting Orbis since 2019 with a donation on every pair of glasses sold.

Manish Raval: My volunteering journey with Orbis

In my eight years volunteering with Orbis, I have journeyed to countries including Mongolia, Vietnam, Peru, Zambia, Jamaica and India. Find out more about my journey as a volunteer with Orbis.

Orbis Programmes are expanding thanks to new funding from Qatar Fund for Development

December 15, 2019

In 2020, our joint eye health initiative with the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), will be expanding thanks to a new injection of funding from the nation.

Be part of the journey to give the gift of sight

Six-year-old Dieu lives in rural Vietnam with her loving family. They live on very modest means, so when Dieu started developing problems with her eyes, they were unable to get the treatment she needed.

Diabetic Retinopathy: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Diabetic retinopathy affects an estimated one-third of people with diabetes and is the leading cause of blindness and vision loss in adults between 35-50. But what is diabetic retinopathy, what causes it and what can be done to treat or prevent it?

Flying Eye Hospital Lands in Ghana

November 21, 2019

The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital has touched down in Accra, Ghana, for a three-week teaching and training project. It’s the third time the plane has been in Ghana where our teams will be working alongside our usual partners - the Ministry of Health, the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

OMK Design

Since 1965, OMK have developed a focused range of seating systems to enhance public spaces. To celebrate World Sight Day 2019, OMK were delighted to announce their partnership with Orbis with the introduction of a donation on the sale of every seat sold.

Help a child like Dai

Dai and his family live in a small village in Vietnam. He was diagnosed with cataracts at birth, and for the first nine years of his life he struggled to see. His poor vision affected all corners of his young life. His walk to school was dangerous, and he had to spend most of his days inside the house – so he wouldn’t get hurt when playing outside.

Go Side Mount

Go Side Mount are the creators of the Razor Side Mount System - a complete integrated system designed specifically for side mount diving. Go Side Mount have been supporting Orbis since 2019 with the creation of a limited edition Pink Razor 2.5 system.

Retinopathy of Prematurity: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Retinopathy of Prematurity is a potentially blinding eye disease that affects premature infants and is the leading cause of blindness among children worldwide. It's particularly prevalent in Latin America & South East Asia where more premature babies are being saved, but few hospitals have the skills & resources to deliver the care needed.

Glaucoma: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

According to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, glaucoma is the third leading cause of blindness in the world, affecting around 3 million people. But what is glaucoma, how is it caused and what can be done to treat or prevent it?

In Pictures: Meeting Mariya

When we meet three-year-old Mariya, it’s almost impossible to picture her as anything other than the bubbly, energetic and confident young girl who is playing and laughing in front of us. However, until recently, this little girl’s future was at risk, as she was slowly losing her sight.

Cubitts

Cubitts are a modern spectacle maker founded in London in 2013. They have been supporting Orbis since 2019 with a gift in kind donation of glasses frames.

Global Handwashing Day: Orbis's fight against trachoma

October 15, 2019

This Global Handwashing Day, we want to highlight our efforts in Ethiopia towards eliminating trachoma, the world’s leading cause of infectious avoidable blindness.

From the field: UK Volunteer travels to Vietnam with the Flying Eye Hospital

October 30, 2019

UK Consultant Anaesthetist, Dr. Michelle Le Cheminant, volunteered this summer in Vietnam aboard our Flying Eye Hospital. Hear first-hand her experience of sharing her skills with local anaesthetists in the country, and equipping them to fight avoidable blindness in their communities.

Cataracts: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment around the world, accounting for approximately 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?

You’re breaking down barriers this World Sight Day

This World Sight Day, we would like to say a massive thank you to our amazing supporters and partners who are helping us to remove the barriers people face when accessing eye care.