ORBIS devotes itself to the elimination of the following causes of avoidable blindness:

A Child’s Right to Sight

ORBIS and the Children's Institute at the University of Cape Town, South Africa present this Advocacy Brief on a child's right to sight, argued within the legal framework ensuring children's enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health. Download...

Treatment involves a simple operation to replace the diseased lens with a new, artificial one. The procedure can take as little at 15 minutes and usually results in restoration of good vision. ORBIS strives to improve the delivery of cataract treatment by teaching cataract surgery and providing support to local hospitals, ophthalmologists and their staff.

» Diabetic retinopathy Diabetes is becoming more common the world over and is an increasing cause of blindness in developing countries. Diabetes occurs when the body is unable to regulate the amount of glucose in the blood. When diabetes is not treated adequately, the disease may damage blood vessels in the retina, causing bleeding and scarring. In the most severe cases, permanent blindness may result. Diabetic retinopathy can often be prevented, however, and if it does occur and is treated early, blindness can be prevented.

ORBIS helps local ophthalmic communities set up screening programmes to identify those people who are at risk and those who need treatment.

» Glaucoma Glaucoma is caused by increased pressure in the eye. One form of the disease creeps up slowly and painlessly, gradually stealing people's peripheral vision (tunnel vision) until they are robbed of all sight. The other form of the disease is characterized by a sudden, painful rise in eye pressure. Without prompt treatment, vision loss, even blindness, can occur.

©Jon Hyams

Both forms of glaucoma can be treated -- either with eyedrops or surgery -- making early detection very important. ORBIS establishes screening programmes in developingcountries so that those at risk of glaucoma or those in its early stages can be treated before vision loss occurs.

» Retinopathy of prematurity Premature babies are at risk of losing their sight because the blood vessels in the retina -- the photographic film at the back of the eye -- haven’t had time to fully develop. These immature blood vessels may bleed and cause the retina to scar and detach (retinal detachment). Irreversible vision loss may occur if the condition isn't treated early.

©Robert Bell

The key to tackling retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is screening and early treatment. Laser therapy or surgery may prevent ROP-related blindness. As ROP becomes a more frequent cause of childhood blindness in developing countries, ORBIS is providing local doctors with the skills and equipment necessary to detect and treat this potentially devastating disease.

» Strabismus (squint) Strabismus is a congenital condition in which the eyes don’t work in unison. Because the eyes look in two different directions at the same time, double vision often occurs, Children with strabismus often find that the weaker eye gets worse over time as the dominant eye takes over. In most cases, treatment to straighten the eyes can prevent poor vision and irreversible damage. ORBIS trains eye doctors

©Cl Thomas

in poor countries to correct strabismus and develops comprehensive eye treatment centres for both children and adults.

» Trachoma Trachoma is a highly contagious infectious disease that is present in many poor countries. Trachoma starts out as childhood conjunctivitis, and in its early stages causes redness and itching. After years of untreated repeated infection, the eyelid becomes so damaged that it turns inward. The eyelashes then scrape against the eye, scarring it and leading to blindness. In its early stages trachoma can be easily treated with antibiotics. In more advanced cases, simple eyelid surgery can alleviate pain and further damage.

©ORBIS

ORBIS has comprehensive programmes aimed at eliminating trachoma, particularly in Ethiopia.