170 ophthalmologists are training on board the Orbis flying eye hospital at Ktg.

The MD-10 aircraft carrying the flying eye hospital landed at Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport on November 14.

Today (November 21) the plane was full of activity for participants in specialized classes on eye surgery and treatment.

Divided into groups, they received hands-on training in procedures for cataracts, glaucoma, retina, oculoplastic and corneal diseases.

The program also included neuro-ophthalmology workshops, optometry webinars, and nursing and biomedical technology training.

“This is the 11th visit of the Orbis flying eye hospital to Bangladesh,” said Alana Katherine Kalis, Orbis program manager.

“Along with on-flight training, we conduct classes at the Chattogram Eye Hospital and Training Center to enhance participants’ practical skills.”

Orbis International, a US-based charity, has operated in nearly 200 countries for 39 years and operates the world’s first and only flying eye hospital.

The organization’s clinical staff and volunteer educators provide hands-on training, focusing on eye surgery and patient care, using advanced simulation tools.

Physicians participating in the program expressed appreciation for the unique teaching methods.

Dr Razia Sultana from Chattogram Medical College, who participated in the training, said, “The advanced machines and technology used for this training are not available in Bangladesh. The simulation program allowed us to gain invaluable experience without the risks associated with practicing in front of humans. “

Dr. Omar Fernando Salamanca, Orbis ophthalmology expert, emphasized the importance of the training, saying, “We equip participants with the skills to treat various eye diseases using advanced technologies. Although this is our last flying visit to Bangladesh, Orbis will continue training at various hospitals and centers across the country.”

This training marks the 11th visit of the Flying Eye Hospital to Bangladesh, with previous missions being in 1985 and 2017.

Christine Taylor, vice president of global communications and marketing at Orbis International, said the organization has made significant contributions to eye care in Bangladesh over the past four decades.

“In Bangladesh, it has conducted more than 78 thousand eye examinations, provided treatment and optical services to more than 45 thousand people, supported more than 2.58 thousand eye surgeries and trained more than 40,000 people in eye care,” she said.

“Additionally, Orbis has established 42 vision centers, including women-led green vision centers, aimed at overcoming barriers to women’s eye care. The organization has supported 17 mid-level hospitals, four tertiary hospitals, four training centers and two digital learning centers.”

Jenna Montgomery, associate director of global communications for Orbis, said the organization has equipped 400 community clinics in Bangladesh with vision screening tools and helped develop national guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of retinopathy of prematurity, a leading cause of childhood blindness.

“Since 2000, Orbis has been working with local eye hospitals and non-governmental organizations to prevent eye diseases and restore vision, reaching areas such as the Rohingya community in Cox’s Bazar and teapot women in Sylhet,” she added.