Dr. Bruce Moore has dedicated the past five decades to enabling children to see in Boston as a prominent pediatric optometrist.
His passion for helping children extends beyond the borders of the United States, as he also serves as a professor emeritus at the New England College of Optometry.
However, the need he has encountered during his international work is unlike anything he has experienced in his career.
Moore shared a poignant story of a mother who traveled 1,800 kilometers on a bus for a staggering 26 hours just to have her 2-year-old child examined by him.
“I’ve never had that happen in my life,” states Moore.
The primary discrepancy in care for these children lies in access.
That’s where Orbis International, a nonprofit organization focused on combating blindness and restoring vision in countries with limited resources, steps in.
Orbis operates a flying hospital, a specialized aircraft equipped with laser technology, a simulation lab, a modern operating room, and a classroom that allows surgeries to be broadcast live to trainees globally.
According to Lori Pacheco, an associate director for volunteer experience and engagement with Orbis, “It’s a hospital with wings. We bring patients on board, our trainees on board. We are teaching right there in the hospital.”
Each year, more than 400 medical experts volunteer with Orbis, training nurses and doctors in 32 countries both on the aircraft and in local health facilities.
Pacheco noted, “We’re reaching them where they can learn in their own environment, in their own operating room.”
The impact of such training is significant; for instance, a nursing program initiated in Zambia has successfully doubled the number of patients receiving care daily.
Pacheco emphasizes, “It’s not how many surgeries we can do while we’re there. It’s how many they can do after we leave.”
Moore highlights the essential role of teaching local ophthalmologists about the accurate refraction of eyes, which is a fundamental component of eye care.
Without this training, children might go years without the glasses they need, a situation that can severely hinder their educational progress and overall development.
Moore observes that there is a growing understanding among local stakeholders that child health is vital for advancing their nations, leading to a commitment for improvement.
Statistics from the National Institutes of Health underline the urgency of their mission; 90% of vision loss is treatable or preventable, yet one billion people worldwide continue to live with it, most residing in low- and middle-income countries.
After dedicating over 50 years to his profession, Moore remains steadfast in his motivation to assist as many individuals as possible.
He reflects, “To be able to be at this point in my life and my career and still be healthy enough to be able to go to places to have high impact. To me, the very best thing that I could possibly have done in my life — beyond my family.”
His efforts have now extended to collaborating with the government of Mongolia, where he is working to implement a vision screening system and providing follow-up care for children, not only in urban areas but also in remote locations.
As the demand for vision care continues to grow, organizers with Orbis International are constantly seeking volunteers willing to make an impact.
image source from：wcvb
