09 November 2026
Orbis will spend $32 million (£24 million) strengthening eye health systems and expanding access to eye care globally, the charity announced last week (Monday 2 November).
The investment will focus on financial and technical contributions and aims to expand access to cataract care, strengthen the work of eye health professionals, and support innovations to prevent avoidable sight loss.
The charity aims to provide direct support to strengthen government-led healthcare systems and institutions in 16 countries.
The commitment also includes the responsible use of digital technology and artificial intelligence.
It is hoped that the commitment will help more than 18 million people across the world protect their sight, whilst also supporting the professional development of more than 250,000 eye health professionals. Work will take place between 2027 and 2030.
Workforce development will include the use of Cybersight, a digital platform that aims to strengthen eye health systems at scale through eye health learning, mentorship, AI, and clinical support. Cybersight will be used across more than 200 countries and territories in support of Orbis’ goals.
The platform’s capabilities will also be made available to support the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness’s (IAPB) learning, training, and development initiatives.
Reaching one billion people with sight loss globally
The announcement was made during the Global Summit for Eye Health, which was hosted by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and in collaboration with the World Health Organization.
The summit saw leaders from government, the public and private sectors, NGOs, and funding institutions come together in St John’s, the capital of Antigua and Barbuda.
Attendees at the summit made a commitment to reach the estimated one billion people who are living with avoidable sight loss globally.
Kathleen Sherwin, president and CEO of Orbis International, said: “The Global Summit for Eye Health is an opportunity to turn shared ambition into practical action. Orbis is committing our expertise and resources to help countries build the workforce and systems needed to deliver lasting improvements in eye health.
“Working alongside governments and partners, we will focus on quality care and reaching people who too often go without it, particularly women, girls, and underserved communities.”
Orbis’ work will focus on country-led priorities and locally-led approaches in the areas of cataract, diabetic retinopathy, childhood eye health, and refractive error.
The charity’s plans include supporting cataract training through hands-on clinical experience, digital learning, mentorship, and simulation.
It will be supported in this by global partners, including Alcon.
David J Endicott, Alcon’s chief executive officer, said: “Closing the gap between what modern eye care can achieve and what patients can access is one of the most important eye health challenges of our time.
“Solving it will require collaboration, investment, and a shared commitment to building the workforce and capacity needed to bring quality eye care to more people around the world.”
Beginning in 2027, Orbis will partner with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to integrate AI-assisted diabetic retinopathy screening into routine diabetes care.
Orbis and its partners will work toward at least 80% screening coverage among people receiving diabetes care by 2030, with referral, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up pathways for patients who need further care.
Walton Webson, permanent representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations, said: “Antigua and Barbuda is proud to strengthen its partnership with Orbis to make quality eye care accessible, equitable and sustainable for all.
“Beginning in 2027, this collaboration will advance AI-assisted screening for diabetic retinopathy, strengthen local capacity and expand early detection.”
Webson added: “Together with the support of other international partners, it will help us build a comprehensive eye care model that can be adapted across the Caribbean and other Small Island Developing States.
“Our ambition is clear: to protect sight, expand opportunity and demonstrate that small island nations can lead in inclusive health innovation. No one should lose their sight – or their opportunity to thrive – to a condition we have the means to prevent or treat.”
Lead image: Orbis volunteer faculty member, Dr Lucy Barker, director of paediatric ophthalmology at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, leading surgical training at University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia
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