The Second ORBIS Mission in Chiang Mai Province

Surapongs Duangratana M.D.,
Direak Pharthikulsilia M.D.,
Phrapussorn Rundkum M.D.
Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang mai

ABSTRACT Project ORBIS is a international, nonprofit organization that combats world blindness in three ways : by teaching sight – saving surgical skills, by promoting blindness prevention, and by raising public and government awareness of blindness and eye disease.

The vehicle for ORBIS’s work is a DC-8 jet, donated to the project by United Airlines, which was extensively modified to a fully equipped ophthalmological teaching hospital. Housed on board there are an examination and laser treatment area, operating room recovery room, audio – visual television studio, 18 – seat classroom, scrub and substerile area and library for videotapes, texbooks, and current journals.

ORBIS used to work in Chiang Mai, the first time, in 1988. Project ORBIS came to Chiang Mai again and conducted three – week program, from Jan. 6 to 24, 1992. During the three – week mission, 120 patients were examined, 44 of which were treated sergically, including laser treatment, in the operating theatre both on board and in Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital. Besides of patient examination and treatment ORBIS also provided programs about live surgery, lectures, as well as workshops to attending ophthalmologists.