Orbis, the world's only flying eye hospital was officially welcomed to Manchester by the city's Lord Mayor on October 9, 2000. The week long visit was aimed at raising awareness of global blindness. Orbis is an international charity dedicated to eliminating avoidable blindness worldwide by training local doctors, nurses and other health care workers in the developing world in vital sight-saving skills. Programmes are held on board the flying eye hospital, a fully converted DC-10 jet which is equipped with a surgical suite, laser treatment area, recovery room, 48- seat classroom and technical support areas.