The initiative will provide advanced training and mentorship to 70 ophthalmologists and nurses from eight Orbis partner hospitals across China. Participants will train aboard the Flying Eye Hospital and at Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau, with the clinicians collectively serving more than 245,000 patients in China each year.

Training will include simulation-based instruction in cataract, glaucoma, strabismus, medical retina, and ophthalmic nursing. Orbis said the program is designed not only to strengthen participants' clinical skills but also to enable them to share their knowledge with colleagues and future generations of eye care professionals.

The project comes 20 years after Orbis Macau was established in 2006. Since then, the Macau community has raised more than $33 million to support the nonprofit's work in China and internationally. Orbis Macau has worked with donors, companies, schools, foundations, and volunteers to support clinician training, stronger eye care systems, and greater access to quality eye care.

"For twenty years, the people of Macau have stood beside Orbis as partners in our mission," said Isabel da Silva, director of development at Orbis Macau. "The real story of this visit is not just the aircraft. It's the thousands of individuals, companies, schools, and volunteers of Macau who have supported Orbis over the last two decades."

Cybersight, Orbis' telemedicine and e-learning platform, will complement the in-person training. Participants can use the platform to prepare before the program, consult with international experts, access continuing education, and continue developing their skills after the Flying Eye Hospital leaves Macau.

"By bringing eye care teams from across China together for advanced simulation training and connecting them to ongoing mentorship through Cybersight, we are investing not only in individual clinicians, but in stronger eye care systems," said Orbis President and CEO Kathleen Sherwin.

Alcon, which has supported Orbis for more than 45 years, is providing financial support for the Flying Eye Hospital through the Alcon Foundation. The company also provides ophthalmic equipment, surgical products, and supplies through Alcon Cares.

Omega, a supporter of Flying Eye Hospital projects since 2011, is also participating in the Macau initiative. The company works with its brand ambassadors to raise awareness of Orbis' mission and provides teddy bears to pediatric patients treated aboard the aircraft.

The Macau project is part of Orbis' 2026 Flying Eye Hospital global program. Other organizations supporting the initiative include Macau International Airport Co. Ltd., Menzies Aviation Macau, TAG Aviation Asia (Macau) Ltd., Min Da Construction & Engineering Co. Ltd., Sands China Ltd., MGM, Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau, CSI Group Macau, Macau Coca-Cola Beverage Co. Ltd., FedEx, Woodward Inc., AirAsia, Embraer, and GE Aerospace.