The sky is the limit for Orbis

Figures from the World Health Organisation indicate that there are some 39 million blind people in the world and another 246 million visually impaired. These numbers are made all the more shocking when you consider that 32 million of the cases of blindness are avoidable through the application of procedures that are taken for granted in high income countries such as the UK. It is also estimated that 80% of those visually impaired can be prevented with access to existing treatments.

The negative impact of blindness on people, particularly children, in low income countries is hard to overstate. In developing nations 60% of children die within a year of becoming blind. Blind or sight impaired children are less likely to gain an education, dramatically shifting life outcomes.