Orbis Ireland
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Mission Statement
In too many countries children who are blind or visually impaired struggle in school, are unable to reach their full potential and are seen as a burden on their families and society. The chilling fact is that up to half of children in developing countries who become blind, will die within two years. Orbis is an international charity dedicated to the treatment and prevention of blindness in the developing world. This is achieved through the teaching of sight-saving skills to eye care professionals aboard the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital and in local hospitals. In turn, these professionals have passed on their expertise to tens of thousands more. Orbis also works with local communities, government and hospitals to improve health care facilities and foster awareness of eye health.
About This Cause
A blinding and life destroying eye disease – trachoma – has blighted the people of Ethiopia. Trachoma is born out of poverty, and Ethiopia currently has more people affected by trachoma than any other country in the world. This disease has ravaged Ethiopia, needlessly robbing children and adults of their ability to see. Few people realise that blindness can result from a disease easily transmitted between infected and healthy eyes by flies, fingers or clothing, and a lack of clean water to wash. Years of repeated trachoma infection results in trichiasis — a condition in which the eyelid becomes so scarred that it turns inward, causing the eyelashes to scrape against the eye, roughening and clouding the cornea. Left untreated, trachoma will cause profound disability and a lifetime of dependence. Orbis Ireland is focused on one major project; to eliminate trachoma in the Gamo Gofa, Derashe, Konso and Dawuro regions of southern Ethiopia, which are among the country’s poorest and worst affected by avoidable blindness. Trachoma is hyper-endemic in this area, with up to 70% of the 3.4 million population affected. A scarcity of trained eye care professionals and eye care services, low awareness of basic eye health and inadequate water and sanitation amenities, all contribute to the high prevalence of trachoma. In order to eliminate trachoma from this region, Orbis adopted the World Health Organisation’s SAFE strategy which involves conducting corrective Surgery to reverse the effects of trichiasis; distributing Antibiotics to treat the initial blinding infection; raising awareness of the importance of Facial cleanliness to prevent the bacteria which causes the infection; and improving the surrounding Environment through access to clean water and sanitation. Working alongside communities and professionals, Orbis provides the tools, training and technology for local eye doctors and health care workers to develop solutions to tackle avoidable blindness in Ethiopia. By strengthening eye care institutions, Orbis helps its partners to provide long-term, quality eye care services that are affordable, accessible and sustainable. Over the years, through external evaluations and impact surveys, data has been collected on the effectiveness of implementing the SAFE strategy in this region of Ethiopia. Orbis can compare this data to the baseline surveys conducted in 2007 when Orbis started to implement the SAFE strategy in this region. In some woredas the prevalence of trachoma had reduced by up to 75% and in 14 woredas (districts) the prevalence is below the World Health Organisations recommended level. Orbis is extremely encouraged by the downward trend in the prevalence of trachoma and trichiasis in these regions of Ethiopia. There is more work to be done to implement the SAFE strategy. Orbis’ vision is ambitious but it is vital for the social and economic growth of this region. Orbis plans to leave the people of this region with the knowledge and skills they require to thrive independently and allow future generations to grow up free from the threat of blindness.