ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital in Iloilo, Philippines in February 2012. Photo by Geoff Bugbee.

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The FEH’s first visit to Philippines coincided with the Flying Eye Hospital’s launch in 1982. Last years program in Iloilo and Bacolod was ORBIS’ 10th visit to the Philippines. Previously, the FEH visited a total of five cities in the Philippines including: Manila, Subic Bay, and Angeles City in the north, as well as Cebu City and Davao City serving the South.

During this FedEx sponsored program, ORBIS volunteer faculty member Dr. Gillian Adams worked side-by-side with a local doctor to treat seven year-old Rafael Lopez’s strabismus.

After the teaching case was completed, the local doctor was able to perform the surgery and was also able to train other doctors. “It’s the ripple effect of giving one person knowledge and them passing it on,” said Dr. Adams.

The boy’s mother was overjoyed to see her son’s vision restored.