Serving those needing eye care in El Salvador

By Sister Clarita Trujillo, OLVM

Sister Clarita Trujillo, OLVM, assisted at the El Salvador Eye Clinic in Perquin, Morazan on her annual care mission to the facility from Jan. 23 to Feb. 6. She kept this journal of her experiences .

The trip was uneventful. There was no missing luggage and the drive from San Salvador to Perquin was ok. It was a bit hot but with all the bus windows open the ride was smooth. This year my roommate, Beatrice Vigil, and I shared a cabin so we did not have to climb up the hill to the other living quarters. We did climb about 70 steps to get to the dining area. The food was good and we got plenty of fruit which I loved.

We had two women surgeons for each of the two weeks. Two were there for the first week. These two left and two more came for the 2nd week. The first week mostly cataract and pterygium surgeries were done. Removal of pterygiums is not considered major surgery because it is a surface matter that grows from

the edge of the eye and moves toward the pupil. None the less, it takes time to remove it and then do a procedure so that it does not grow back. The second week reconstructive or removal of lesion etc and also strabismus (cross-eyed) corrective surgeries were done. Phil, the coordinator, said “Nearly every patient was seen by a doctor making it possible to diagnose more pathology. For the first time, we were able to provide copies of diagnoses to the patients and to the local health clinic. In addition to our ophthalmologists’ surgical operations, using local anesthesia, the surgical team performed surgery on patients without any complications.” The local anesthesia surgeries were for long reconstructive procedures and on younger patients getting corrective surgery for strabismus. One reconstructive surgery took 4 and a half hour, others took 2 to 3 hours. There were three Optometrists who screened thousands of patients and there were also 3 or 4 opticians examining or refracting. This year there were more professionals then we had in past years. Even the person who fits false eyes was a professional with some 30 years experience. Professional in eye care or not every team member has a role and is valued for what they can do.

This year Dr Larson brought her 15 year old son, he seemed shy, so I teased him. At one time I told him we always needed a young one like him to dig ditches. He opened his eyes real wide and I just laughed and laughed, he finally sort of giggled. He helped around us for the first two days, and then he asked me if I would talk to his mom to let him go work in the main examining part of the clinic. He wanted to be where the people first entered the process. She agreed and took him so that he could help with giving out reading glasses. He mixed wonderfully with the group, and said that he wanted to return next year.

Every surgery was impressive and it was a joy to experience the joy felt by the older patients when they could see again. One old man was very attached to his great grandson who used to take him by the hand and guide him in short walks. The child was probably only about 4 years old. Anyway his granddaughter was the one caring for him but it was the little boy that made his face light up when he saw him. Then there was a young girl, about 15 or 16 who got corrective surgery for strabismus. When she came for post-op she could not stop crying for the happiness she felt. Her eyes look as normal as anyone else and I am sure that having her eyes straighten will make her feel more in control of her life. But there are always the sad cases when no help can be given. But these persons readily accept the reason why surgery will not help their condition. They are grateful for what can be given to them.

The totals for the 2 week of service are:

• 1.563 reading glasses fitted

• 1,160 eyeglasses fitted by opticians

• 23 artificial eyes fitted

• 42 major surgical operations

• 9 minor surgical operations

• 255 patient’s discharges

• 3,042 total patients

First of all I want to thank the OLVM Sisters for their prayers, support and generosity in allowing me to join this most fruitful mission. The people from Perquin and the rest of El Salvador are always so gracious in offering thanks and prayers. Thanks also to family and friends who are also grateful that I can go on the Eye Care Mission. You are all in my prayer as I am sure that I am in yours. God has continued to bless us all.