Renowned ophthalmologist Dr. David Paton, who founded Project Orbis, passed away at the age of 94. His innovative idea to convert a United Airlines jet into a flying hospital revolutionized eye care in developing countries. Dr. Paton’s passion for preventing blindness led him to create a mobile surgical unit that took surgeons to remote locations to operate on patients and educate local doctors.
Despite facing initial skepticism and lack of funding, Dr. Paton’s determination led to the successful launch of the Flying Eye Hospital in 1982, where volunteer surgeons and nurses provided eye care services and training in countries worldwide. This initiative helped thousands of patients, including a 14-year-old girl named Julia, regain their eyesight through life-changing surgeries.
Throughout his career, Dr. Paton’s commitment to improving eye care in underserved communities never wavered. Despite facing challenges and disagreements with the board of directors, his legacy lives on through Orbis International, which continues to provide essential eye care services and training using an MD-10 aircraft donated by FedEx.
Since its inception, Orbis has performed over 621,000 surgeries and procedures and offered more than 424,000 training sessions to medical professionals. Dr. Paton’s vision, dedication, and innovative approach to eye care have had a lasting impact on global health, transforming the lives of countless individuals around the world.
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