In the mid 1970s, Dr David Paton, a Houston ophthalmologist, conceived the idea of an airborne ophthalmic teaching hospital. He wanted to share eye care skills and expertise with health personnel in developing countries. With the help of benefactors, the charity ORBIS was formed 24 years ago with the aim of eliminating avoidable blindness worldwide by taking medical and surgical skills, readily available in the Western world, to areas of greatest need.
