Soaring Eye Hospital Performs 607,000 Surgical Procedures and Laser Treatments

The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital has delivered more than 11.6 million eye care visits through its supported facilities worldwide over the past decade. The specialized aircraft, which recently landed at Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport, has performed over 607,000 eye surgeries and laser treatments while training 436,000 eye care professionals across 80 countries.

This mobile hospital addresses a massive global health gap. Around 1.1 billion people worldwide suffer from varying degrees of vision loss, with 90% living in low and middle-income countries where medical resources are limited and eye care services are scarce.

Maurice Gary, the hospital's director, explained that Orbis focuses more on building capacity than counting surgeries. "The priority is the number of specialists we train and enable to continue providing sight-saving care in their communities long after the plane leaves," he said during a field tour of the aircraft.

The flying hospital operates from a donated MD-10 aircraft provided by FedEx. It's essentially a complete teaching hospital specialized in ophthalmology, equipped with an operating room, classroom, and recovery rooms. Since its first flight in 1982, the program has visited more than 80 countries, providing training and surgical procedures to treat preventable blindness and vision loss.

Gary praised Dubai's medical staff as among the most qualified regionally and globally, thanks to advanced training programs and continuous professional development opportunities. This excellence has helped establish Dubai as a leading center for advanced healthcare.

FedEx has been a major supporter since the program's launch, contributing over $22 million in financial donations and in-kind shipments. The company covers spare parts, maintenance costs, and pilot training, while its pilots volunteer their time to fly the aircraft to destinations worldwide.

Tariq Henedy, FedEx's vice president of operations for the Middle East and Africa, announced that the company renewed its commitment in 2021 with a $3.5 million donation to support Orbis over the next five years. This partnership is part of FedEx's global community engagement program "FedEx Cares."

The timing is significant as World Sight Day approaches. Bruce Johnson, Orbis's director of aircraft operations and maintenance, noted that the organization regularly schedules visits to Dubai as part of its work across Asia and Africa. He praised the vital role of FedEx teams at Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central in providing logistical services and maintenance support.

Captain Gary Dyson, chief pilot for Orbis International, sees his role as more than just flying. "I don't consider myself just an aircraft commander, but part of a mission aimed at changing people's lives for the better and forever," he said. "When we see a child regain their sight and realize they now have opportunities to learn, play, and support their family in the future, it's an incredible feeling."

The program represents a practical approach to global health challenges. Instead of just providing temporary medical interventions, Orbis builds lasting local capacity by training healthcare professionals who continue serving their communities long after the flying hospital moves on to its next destination.