Sharing vision-saving skills, while establishing lifelong friendships--in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the ORBIS flying eye hospital's first trip to Guangzhou, China.
Thirty years ago, the ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital (ORBIS FEH) first landed in Guangzhou on September 21st 1982, remaining in the city for 18 days. Not only was this the ORBIS FEH's first trip to China to provide training in sight-restoring techniques, but the visit also turned a whole new chapter in the history of friendship between the Chinese and American ophthalmic communities. In the ensuing 30 years, the ORBIS FEH has visited China 22 times, landing in 25 different locations. The first DC-8 aircraft, retired formally in 1994, was subsequently presented by ORBIS to China as a token of the friendship between the Chinese and American people. This plane with its praiseworthy history is currently on display at the Chinese Aviation Museum in Beijing.  The ORBIS FEH, originally dedicated by the highly respected American ophthalmologist David Paton, has as its defining goal the teaching and spreading of advanced ophthalmic surgical technology throughout the world, particularly in those areas where resources are scarce. Training of local ophthalmic staff as well as treating patients is its priorities, and thus it has received a warm welcome wherever it goes. The ORBIS FEH generates a ripple effect which has led to further improvements in eye care ever.
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China. lechwu@yahoo.com
Lezheng
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Wu
Youzhao
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Chen
D000401:Aircraft; D000846:Anniversaries and Special Events; D002681:China; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D008493:Medical Missions / Q000266:history*; D008952:Mobile Health Units / Q000266:history*; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education / Q000266:history*; D014481:United States