Inside the Flying Eye Hospital
Inspired by Orbis International’s vision of a world where no one is needlessly blind or visually impaired, Crestron has provided Orbis’s new mobile Flying Eye Hospital with AV and automation technology, enhancing the organization’s ability to deliver ophthalmological training to doctors in underserved areas worldwide. The two organizations showcased the capabilities of this state-of-the-art surgical suite at a recent event in Newark, NJ.
A global non-profit organization, Orbis’s mission is to help medical professionals treat the estimated 285 million global cases of blindness and visual impairment. Many of those affected live in areas without access to treatment for common conditions, such as cataracts.
The Flying Eye Hospital’s medical doctors travel to underserved regions to operate on those that need surgery for these conditions. The plane not only features an operating theatre, laser treatment room, and recovery room, but also has a 46-seat classroom. Because of Crestron’s technology, medical professionals can watch surgeries from the classroom or any other part of the plane. This is facilitated by Crestron’s DigitalMedia platform for managing and sharing AV content.
With a $300,000 donation of technology and services, Crestron created a fully integrated solution, including AV distribution systems, multimedia processors, cameras, monitors, and displays. The entire system is controlled through Crestron touchscreens, and the technology easily fits into the small footprint of the plane. For example, some touchscreens can be used both as displays (e.g., for watching videos) and for controlling the environment.
Crestron technology also enables the Orbis staff to broadcast their training well beyond the Flying Eye Hospital, to hospitals in the region or even around the world. Doctors can see what’s happening in the operating room, plus look under the microscope with the surgeons to view images in 3D.
“We’re thrilled to see our solutions have such a profound impact on the success of this unique teaching facility,” said Dan Feldstein, chairman and COO, Crestron. “The systems we donated to the Flying Eye Hospital are in keeping with the work we’ve done in the corporate and residential markets, and we’re extremely proud to be part of such an important mission.”
“Crestron’s technology is making a significant difference in the scope of medical training we are able to provide,” said Dr. Jonathan Lord, global medical director, Orbis. “The company is helping us to build a global community with unprecedented access to state-of-the-art eye care services.”
Continuing a partnership that began back in 2013, Crestron’s work with Orbis was the passion project of Dan Feldstein’s father, the late George Feldstein, the company’s founder and former chairman.
