For nearly 40 years, Orbis has been a global leader and innovator in the fight to end avoidable blindness. Working with our extensive network of local partners, including hospitals, universities, ministries of health, community organizations and like-minded NGOs, we build eye health capacity and create long-term, sustainable eye care solutions in developing countries.

Our mission is to make quality eye care accessible to everyone, everywhere – from bustling urban centres to the most remote rural villages. By combining traditional hands-on skills transfer with the latest in medical simulation and telemedicine technology, we empower eye care teams in low-income countries with the knowledge, skills, and resources to provide the best eye care possible for all their people.

We collaborate with our partners across the health service to strengthen and improve eye health systems, infrastructure and referral networks, and train entire eye care teams so they can save sight in their own communities – now and for the future. We also deliver community-based eye health outreach initiatives, ranging from eye screening programs for children in rural schools to the mass distribution of antibiotics to treat and prevent infectious causes of blindness. We advocate to make equitable access to eye health a global priority because we believe no one should live a life of blindness or compromised vision just because of where they were born.

Through our more than 60 long-term country programs, on board our incredible Flying Eye Hospital, or virtually through our Cybersight telemedicine platform, we continue to be one of the most effective non-profit organizations working to fight avoidable blindness, restore vision and help ensure no one loses their sight to a preventable, treatable disease. In doing so, we reduce the crushing burden of blindness and lift people out of poverty to create stronger, more vibrant, more resilient communities and economies. In addition, our gender-focused eye care projects not only provide women and girls with increased access to high-quality eye care, but also create training and employment opportunities, and empower women to play a critical role in eye health in their communities.

Orbis Canada is an affiliate of Orbis International, headquartered in New York City. Orbis has a total of 15 program and fundraising offices around the world.