Orbis International Brings the Flying Eye Hospital to Rwanda for the First Time to Train Local Eye Care Teams

With support from the Alcon Foundation and OMEGA, the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital lands in Rwanda for a two-week training project in Kigali.

KIGALI, Rwanda, July 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, global eye care nonprofit Orbis International, with an invitation from Rwanda's Ministry of Health, announces the start of a two-week training project on board the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital, the world's only fully accredited ophthalmic teaching hospital on a plane. Donated by FedEx, the Flying Eye Hospital serves as a unique platform for delivering hands-on training and education to local eye care teams. The project—which is supported by corporate sponsors the Alcon Foundation and OMEGA and hosted in partnership with the Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology (RIIO) and Kibagabaga Hospital—aims to build the skills of local eye care teams, raise awareness about eye health, and expand lasting access to sight-saving care across Rwanda.

This is the first time the Flying Eye Hospital has touched down in Rwanda, which now takes its place as the 84th country where the plane has provided in-person training. Orbis has been providing training on and off the Flying Eye Hospital since 1982, reaching 97 countries with in-person training and more than 200 countries and territories with virtual programming through Cybersight, Orbis's telemedicine and e-learning platform.

During the training, Orbis clinical staff and Volunteer Faculty (medical experts) will guide participants in simulation training, hands-on surgical training and patient care, and workshops focused on the ophthalmic subspecialties of strabismus, cataract, oculoplastics, and medical retina. The training will also cover skills in anesthesiology, nursing, and biomedical engineering.

During the simulation training, a select group of participants will use virtual reality (VR) to deepen their skills in cataract surgery. Participants will learn how to set up and train on a portable VR tool co-developed by Orbis. Upon conclusion of the project, Orbis is donating one of the devices to RIIO so participants can continue to practice their surgical skills. In addition, Orbis is partnering with medical technology company Haag-Streit to provide further hands-on VR simulation training to another select group of participants.

"I am delighted that Orbis is bringing the Flying Eye Hospital to Rwanda for the first time, not only to extend our mission to this important part of the world, but to support Rwanda's national priorities in eye health," said Dr. Ciku Mathenge, Medical Advisor for Orbis in Africa. "Orbis will collaborate with its long-standing partner, RIIO, on this impactful training project and thus support a residency program that is setting the standard for training the next generation of ophthalmologists in East Africa. Introducing cutting-edge simulation technology and sharing advanced skills from global experts, will empower RIIO's residents and Rwanda's young ophthalmologists to deliver high-quality eye care in their own communities."  

About Our Corporate Sponsors

Alcon has been a generous partner to Orbis for more than forty years, providing in-kind donations through Alcon Cares and monetary donations through the Alcon Foundation to support the Flying Eye Hospital and partner hospitals around the world. Alcon's expert biomedical engineers and trainers also participate in Orbis projects, sharing their skills and knowledge to help participants learn to operate and maintain critical medical technology. Most recently, Alcon supported the Flying Eye Hospitals projects in Mongolia and Bangladesh last year.

"At Alcon, we believe everyone deserves the chance to see a brighter future—regardless of where they live or the circumstances they face," said Kerry Dailey, Alcon Cares Board Member. "By supporting the development of strong, sustainable eye care systems and equipping passionate eye care professionals with the tools and training they need, we're helping to make that vision a reality. That's why we're proud to partner with Orbis in their mission to eliminate avoidable vision loss and bring lasting impact to communities around the world."

OMEGA has been a proud supporter of Orbis since 2011. OMEGA is an avid supporter of Flying Eye Hospital projects—including a first-of-its-kind training project held in Doha, Qatar, for women in eye care from conflict-affected areas, as well as a project in Zambia in 2023 and a project in Bangladesh in 2024. Along with providing vital funding for the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital, OMEGA has also supported Orbis's work through the provision of teddy bears for young patients, as well as through global awareness campaigns featuring brand ambassadors such as Cindy Crawford and Daniel Craig.

"Orbis transforms lives through their Flying Eye Hospital projects, and we're honoured to support their fight against avoidable blindness. Every project they complete creates lasting change in communities worldwide. Our biggest investment lies in helping the world understand what Orbis achieves every day. We're incredibly proud of this partnership and the lives it helps transform," said Raynald Aeschlimann, President and CEO of OMEGA.

Orbis in Rwanda

Almost a decade ago, Orbis began partnering with RIIO, a leading institution in Rwanda dedicated to improving eye health and the first African institution to be accredited by the Ophthalmology Foundation. The partnership began with workshops and trainings in local hospitals focused on medical retina and on growing the number of professionals trained to deliver eye health services.

Since 2021, Orbis has partnered with RIIO and the Rwanda Diabetes Association to address diabetic retinopathy, a common complication of diabetes that can lead to blindness. Orbis equipped four diabetes clinics in and around Kigali with the ability to perform artificial intelligence (AI)-powered screenings using cameras connected to Orbis's Cybersight AI tool. Cybersight AI analyzes images of the back of the eye to detect signs of diabetic retinopathy in patients within minutes, as opposed to days. This project led Orbis to publish two important research studies showing that real-time detection of diabetic retinopathy through AI screening leads more patients to seek treatment. Such timely intervention is critical as it offers the best chance for patients to maintain their sight and feel satisfied with their eye care.

This inaugural Flying Eye Hospital project in Rwanda builds on the country's strong legacy of progress in eye health and its commitment to innovation in medical training. This ambitious endeavor has been made possible by the tremendous support and close collaboration received from key Rwandan government bodies, including the Ministry of Health, and the vital assistance from the Rwanda airport and aviation authorities. By partnering with RIIO—a recognized center of excellence in Africa—Orbis is not only strengthening Rwanda's eye health system but also contributing to broader regional impact. Through RIIO's leadership and reach, the skills, knowledge, and technology shared during this project will benefit eye care professionals across the continent, advancing access to quality eye care throughout Africa.

About Orbis International

Orbis International works around the world to prevent blindness and restore sight for children and adults in places where eye care is out of reach—so vision problems don't make it harder to learn, earn a living, or enjoy life. Around 1.1 billion people live with vision loss, but with the right care, 90% of it is completely avoidable. That is why Orbis trains doctors, nurses, and other eye care professionals to provide care in their own communities—and works to make sure people of all ages can access the eye exams, glasses, medicine, and surgeries they need to protect and restore their sight. Orbis began this work more than 40 years ago with the Flying Eye Hospital, a teaching hospital on a plane that brings expert training and care where they're needed most. Today, we also work with local hospitals and clinics across Africa, Asia, and Latin America to make eye care available to more people, and we use and develop technology—like our award-winning Cybersight e-learning and telehealth platform, artificial intelligence screening, and virtual reality training—to help eye care teams treat patients more effectively. Orbis ranks in the top 3% of U.S. charities, having earned top marks for transparency and accountability from Charity Navigator, GuideStar, and the Better Business Bureau. To learn more, please visit orbis.org.

About Alcon

Alcon helps people see brilliantly. As the global leader in eye care with a heritage spanning over 75 years, we offer the broadest portfolio of products to enhance sight and improve people's lives. Our Surgical and Vision Care products touch the lives of more than 260 million people in over 140 countries each year living with conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases and refractive errors. Our more than 25,000 associates are enhancing the quality of life through innovative products, partnerships with Eye Care Professionals and programs that advance access to quality eye care. Learn more at www.alcon.com.

About OMEGA

OMEGA is a prestigious Swiss watchmaker and member of the Swatch Group Ltd. Since 1848, the brand has been synonymous of excellence, innovation and precision, as well as a pioneering spirit, demonstrated by conquests of the oceans and space. In fact, since 1965, the OMEGA Speedmaster has been worn on each of NASA's manned missions including all six moon landings. As well as this, no brand is more actively involved in sports timekeeping. In addition to partnerships in golf, sailing, athletics and swimming, OMEGA has served as the Official Timekeeper for the Olympic Games since 1932 and the Paralympic Games since 1992. Most importantly, OMEGA has a tradition of excellence in watchmaking. This reputation was reinforced in 2015 with the introduction of METAS-approved Master Chronometer certification, representing the Swiss industry's highest standard of precision, magnetic resistance and performance.

Media Contacts

Orbis International
Jenna Montgomery
Associate Director, Global Communications and Marketing
[email protected]

Alcon
Steven Smith
+ 41 589 112 111 (Geneva)
+ 1 817 551 8057 (Fort Worth)
[email protected]

OMEGA
OMEGA International Press Office
Rue Jakob-Stämpfli 96 – 2502 Biel/Bienne - Switzerland
Tel. +41 32 343 9211
[email protected]
www.omegawatches.com 

SOURCE Orbis International