Flying Eye Hospital project in Mongolia successfully concludes

This visit marked Orbis' ninth Flying Eye Hospital project in Mongolia, a country where access to high-quality eye care remains scarce. With one of the lowest cataract surgery rates in Asia, Orbis's mission is to strengthen the capacity of partner hospitals in Ulaanbaatar to treat major eye diseases effectively.

After the plane landed safely, the project kicked off with simulation training where more than 70 residents and ophthalmologists honed their surgical skills on artificial eyes and virtual reality equipment. Using cutting-edge technology, teams practised skills in the subspecialties of cataract, glaucoma, retina laser, phaco, and strabismus, giving them the tools to best treat their communities long after the plane leaves.

Lead Ophthalmologist on the Flying Eye Hospital, Dr. Omar Salamanca, helped guide simulation training, saying, “The most rewarding feeling is when I see the confidence emerge among residents over the course of a training week -- Hand movements and dealing with the surgical instruments. After a few days, you also notice subtle expressions of satisfaction, even smiles on their faces.”

Week two shifted focus to paediatric eye care and the leading causes of childhood blindness. This was also the first week of the project where patients were seen and treated, including some of the adorable faces you see below. Little girls like Nandin Egshiglen and Buyandeleger were able to get sight-saving surgery thanks to the generosity of Orbis supporters, and their futures are now looking brighter than ever. The specialised training received by local doctors will also ensure other young girls and boys receive the same high-quality care for generations to come.

Director of the Flying Eye Hospital, Maurice Geary, finds paediatric care especially rewarding. He says, 'To see young kids coming onto the plane with their parents, and in the course of one afternoon their sight is saved and their lives are changed. You can see it in the eyes of each of these parents; they know how much of an impact this is going to have on the life of their child. And for all of us, it’s just a special moment to witness.'"

The final week was an opportunity for the entire eye care team to receive specialised training — from doctors and nurses to biomedical engineers. Two expert biomedical engineers and Volunteer Faculty from Alcon led specialised workshops to train local technicians in operating equipment donated by Alcon Cares. With their new skills, these engineers can maintain this top-quality equipment for years to come.

But the project didn’t stop there! After our President and CEO Derek Hodkey welcomed special guests to the plane, we kicked off another week of surgery. Doctors received hands-on surgical training from Volunteer Faculty for treating adults with blinding diseases like glaucoma.

Volunteer Faculty and Chair of the Orbis Medical Advisory Committee Dr. Malik Kahook helped guide doctors through complex surgical steps. After a week of practising with simulation in the wet lab, Dr. Kahook is especially impressed with the progress of one of the local doctors. “I can say that she is able to perform a glaucoma drainage device on her own at this stage which to me is one of the biggest successes of this trip,” he shares.

Orbis wants to express an enormous thank you to everyone who made this project possible. From Orbis's Title Sponsors Alcon Foundation, FedEx, and OMEGA, to the Mongolian Ministry of Health, right through to you, our wonderful supporters, none of this would have been possible without your generous support.

We hope you keep an eye out for more content from the project. And don’t forget to mark your calendars for November, as the plane is taking off for another project in Bangladesh!

See you then!