At the State Central Clinical Hospital in Ulaan-Bataar, Mongolia, there were more than a hundred patients waiting for the ORBIS screening session. The general mood in the hall was one of anticipation. Tuul, waited patiently with her mother and shared her smile with everyone else too. She was screened by an ORBIS volunteer medic and local staff and diagnosed with squint on both eyes.

©Photography Geoff Bugbee

The sight saving operation day

Tuul was ready for surgery onboard the Flying Eye Hospital; she looked slightly nervous; but managed a smile. ORBIS Volunteer Dr Wagner performed the operation to correct the muscles around Tuul's eyes and it was a great success. Tuul woke up after the operation and turned to the volunteer anaesthetist, Dr Raval, and said “Thank you for fixing my eyes”. Everyone in the recovery room was moved by how thoughtful and happy she was.

The next day, Tuul boarded the Flying Eye hospital again with other patients from the day before and the doctors examined her to confirm that her surgery went well and over the next few days her eyes will heal fully. “She is very happy that she can see better. Now my daughter can go to school and be treated normally like everyone else” said her mother.

Not only will ORBIS's work have a massive impact on Tuul’s future, but to the future of eye care in Mongolia as a whole. Tuul also brought a massive smile to the faces of everyone who met her. ORBIS treats eye problems in children like Tuul, trains eye care professionals to provide quality eye care, equipment and tools to help save sight worldwide. Join our sight-saving journey and give the gift of sight to others like Tuul.