FedEx and Orbis Spotlight Over 40 Years of Restoring Vision Ahead of World Sight Day
Ahead of World Sight Day on October 9th, Federal Express Corporation (FedEx), the world’s largest express transportation company, is spotlighting its over 40-year collaboration with Orbis International, during the Flying Eye Hospital’s goodwill visit in Dubai from September 30 to October 3. Orbis hosted guided tours of the aircraft for FedEx employees and other guests, providing an inside look at the one-of-a-kind aircraft and showcasing our shared commitment to advancing access to eye care worldwide. The visit also underscores the UAE’s role as a hub for knowledge exchange and humanitarian collaboration, making it an ideal location to raise awareness about the importance of access to quality eye care.
“We frequently bring the Flying Eye Hospital to Dubai between projects in Asia and Africa,” said Bruce Johnson, director of aircraft operations and maintenance at Orbis International. “For more than 18 years, FedEx teams at Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central have played a vital role in supporting our aircraft—from logistics to maintenance—whenever we’re in the region. Every time we arrive, we’re welcomed like family. Their hospitality, dedication, and willingness to go the extra mile make our work smoother, more impactful, and ensure we’re ready to deliver sight-saving care wherever it’s needed next.”
Globally, an estimated 1.1 billion people live with vision loss, of which 90% live in low-and-middle-income countries . The Flying Eye Hospital was created to help close this gap. It is a fully accredited ophthalmic teaching hospital with an operating room, classroom, and recovery space. The current, third-generation Flying Eye Hospital is a FedEx-donated MD-10 aircraft. Since its first flight in 1982, the Flying Eye Hospital has visited more than 80 countries, providing both training and surgeries to address avoidable blindness and vision loss. These projects equip local doctors, nurses, and other eye care professionals with the skills and knowledge to deliver life-changing treatment in their own communities.
FedEx has supported Orbis since the start, providing more than US$22 million in donations and in-kind shipping. Beyond donating the current aircraft, FedEx covers aircraft parts, maintenance, and pilot training, while FedEx pilots volunteer their time to fly the plane to all its destinations. In 2021, FedEx announced its renewed commitment to Orbis’s sight-saving mission with a US$3.5 million donation to help provide financial, logistical, and operational support to the organization and its Flying Eye Hospital over the following five years. This collaboration is part of FedEx Cares, the company’s global community engagement program that delivers hope and opportunity to the communities FedEx serves.
“As World Sight Day approaches, FedEx is proud to stand with Orbis in creating a world without avoidable blindness and vision loss,” said Taarek Hinedi, vice president of Middle East and Africa operations at FedEx. “Welcoming the Flying Eye Hospital to Dubai is a reminder of the vital work being done across the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa to expand access to eye care. By supporting these efforts with our resources and expertise, we are helping local communities strengthen healthcare systems and create brighter opportunities for the future.”
“With Orbis, I’m not just flying an aircraft—I’m part of a mission where people’s lives are changed forever,” said Captain Gary Dyson, chief pilot for Orbis International and a retired FedEx pilot. “Seeing a child regain their sight and knowing they now have a chance to learn, play, and one day support their own family is an incredible feeling. I’m proud to have spent a large part of my life working for FedEx, which made it possible for its pilots to give back in such a meaningful way.”
Alongside the Flying Eye Hospital, Orbis also works with local hospitals and clinics across Africa, Asia, and Latin America to expand access to quality eye care. Its award-winning Cybersight e-learning and telehealth platform, along with artificial intelligence screening and virtual reality training, equip local eye care teams with the tools and expertise to treat patients more effectively.
