Guatemala Mission Trip 2012: F(eye)ting Blindness

Hajirah Saeed, MDCharles Bouchard, MD

• Between October 15th and 18th Dr. Bouchard and I from Loyola, and Drs. Djalilian and Mehralian from UIC went to Guatemala to perform cataract and pterygium surgeries. The group was led by Dr. Ahsan Khan through the non-profit organization Humanity First. This was the first time that Loyola has participated in a collaborative mission trip involving ophthalmologists from several institutions. We also worked with Guatemalan ophthalmologist Dr. Rudy Gutierrez and his team of residents and fellows. With collaborative efforts like these, we are able to provide a wide range of services, and learn and observe the surgical techniques of others.

• Prior to our arrival, the Guatemalan team of ophthalmologists screened and triaged patients so that when surgery week arrived, we were most efficient in delivering surgical care. While operating rooms were running, other patients who desired ophthalmologic consultation were seen and triaged as well. Perhaps most importantly, with this collaboration, and with ophthalmologists on the ground in Guatemala, we were able to ensure follow-up care for our patients and develop a foundation to continue work that truly allows a level of access to care for these patients. Furthermore, these trips are incredible educational resources.

• The pathology that is seen is vastly different from what is typically encountered for us in Chicago. Several factors play into this including geography, climate, and access to care. We can't change the first two, but we can work to increase patients' quality of life by allowing them access to care they may not have otherwise been able to procure.

• Collaboration with Guatemalan ophthalmologists also greatly aided in breaking the language barriers so that optimal care could be provided for our patients. Despite limited Spanish-speaking capabilities from out Chicago team, there are some gestures that transcend language. It was apparent that pre-operative excitement and renewed hope for better sight was translated into post-operative grins of satisfaction and fulfillment of that hope.

• For me personally, I hope to keep my actions rooted in the values of social equity while at the same time seek excellence in medical knowledge and its translation into patient care. Trips like these allow me to continue down this path and satisfy my intellectual curiosity while stimulating it, engage my manual dexterity while deftly honing it, and furnish me with deep personal satisfaction while renewing my sincere dedication.

• Here's to continuing to reinforce the humanity and dignity of patient, practitioner, and profession for years to come.