In brief
David Paton's innovative approach has left an indelible mark on the medical field by providing vital eye care to underserved populations.
David Paton, a pioneering ophthalmologist celebrated for founding Project Orbis, has passed away at the age of 94 in Reno, Nevada. His death was confirmed by his son, Townley, on April 3. Dr. Paton made history by transforming a United Airlines aircraft into a flying hospital that provided critical eye surgeries in developing countries while training local medical professionals.Raised in a family steeped in the medical profession, Dr. Paton was the son of a renowned eye surgeon whose clients included high-profile figures such as the Shah of Iran. In the 1970s, while teaching at the prestigious Wilmer Eye Institute of Johns Hopkins University, he became increasingly aware of the rise in preventable blindness around the world and realized that the need for more eye doctors coincided with the urgent requirement to enhance the educational opportunities of existing practitioners.In his memoir “Second Sight: Views from an Eye Doctor’s Odyssey,” published in 2011, Dr. Paton recalled contemplating various solutions to address the issue, including transporting medical equipment similar to a circus operation or utilizing a medical ship like those employed by humanitarian efforts. However, he deemed these ideas insufficiently expedient. Inspired by the possibilities presented during the era of space exploration, he envisioned a more ambitious solution: converting a large aircraft into an all-encompassing medical facility. This transformational idea laid the groundwork for his life’s work with Project Orbis, which has delivered eye care to millions and inspired a global community of healthcare professionals dedicated to eradicating preventable blindness.
