The ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital, world's only airborne ophthalmic surgical and training facility, in its 16th visit to India from March 30 to April 10, 2007 will provide training to doctors, optometrists, nurses and biomedical engineers on sight saving skills.

In the two weeks' programme, being organised by the ORBIS in association with the Mumbai-based Lotus Eye Hospital, more than 150 doctors and 20 nurses will receive training. As part of the programme, the team will conduct 45 eye surgeries and lasers.

Under the programme, six biomedical engineers and BME graduate students and 40 optometrists will receive training on maintenance of ophthalmic equipments, visual training orthoptic training and training in the use of prisms. It will also provide training to anaesthesiologists in the field of ophthalmic anaesthesia, focusing on paediatric anaesthesia.

"India is one of the focal points for ORBIS' work. Our continued support, through the flying eye hospital and continuous in-country presence, will result in a greater number of skilled professionals who in turn will be able to treat those hoping to preserve or regain their sight," said Oliver Foot, ORBIS president and executive director.

He added, that the goal of the 2007 Mumbai flying eye hospital programme is to enhance the skills of the local ophthalmic community so that they are better equipped to treat and prevent eye diseases, with international experts teaching paediatric cornea, glaucoma, strabismus (squint) and retinopathy of prematurity.

A series of workshops and symposiums on topics such as optometry, public policy and biomedical engineering will also be part of this year's programme. During this programme international specialists will work with the ophthalmologists from across Maharashtra in the diagnosis and management of paediatric glaucoma, paediatric oculoplastic orbital disorders, paediatric retina disease, paediatric strabismus, corneal disorders and oculoplastics.