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Ophthalmology chairman attends UN reception M. Edward Wilson, M.D., MUSC Ophthalmology chairman and director of the Storm Eye Institute (SEI), attended a 25th anniversary reception for Orbis International at the United Nations (UN) building in New York City.   SEI is a major partner with Orbis, as the organization funds SEI’s twinning program with Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia and faculty and resident travel. Wilson is also involved with their strategic planning to prevent blindness around the world. Wilson serves on the Orbis International Program Advisory Council and the Orbis Cyber-Sight telemedicine board of directors. “We are true partners whose strategic directions in the developing world are complimen-tary,” Wilson said. “It was an inspirational evening.”   More than 3 million people in 85 countries have had their sight restored by Orbis volunteer medical faculty and staff, and untold millions more have received treatment through those trained by Orbis during its Flying Eye Hospital or permanent country programs.   New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg declared March 1 as Orbis Day. During the UN reception, the empire state building went dark for the first time in history for 28 minutes to remember the 28 million people worldwide who have unnecessary blindness.   Orbis president and executive director Oliver Foot said, “Most people hear ‘20/20’ and think of perfect vision. When the Empire State Building turned off its lights at 20:20, attention was drawn to the plight of 28 million people who are blind and could be cured—right now—if they had access to proper eye care.”     Friday, March 23, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.