ORBIS International: Saving Sight Worldwide

Filed in archive Eye Health , News on June 22, 2008

A global nonprofit organization dedicated to saving sight worldwide - ORBIS International - was established in order to help the blind people of the world who doesn't have to be blind but became one due to lack of access to proper eye care.


© Shelley Panzarella



One of its many special work is implementing the World Health Organization's SAFE (surgery, antibiotics, face washing and environmental change) strategy in Ethiopia.

This strategy includes a national effort to build latrines, educate community members on trachoma prevention, and train rural eye care workers to distribute antibiotics and perform sight-preserving eyelid surgeries. These interventions cost very little but contribute immeasurably to an individual's quality of life.

Trachoma is the result of the infection in the eye with Chlamydia trachomatis - the same bacteria responsible for the common sexually transmitted disease (STD), Chlamydia.

Infection spreads from person to person, and is frequently passed from child to child and from child to mother, especially where there are shortages of water, numerous flies, and crowded living conditions.

Check out the slideshow of Orbis International's inspiring work in Ethiopia.

[Thanks to Julie Hurvitz for the hat tip!]