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Chiapas is the southern most state in Mexico that has been the source of anti-government rebel activity for the past several decades. Into this region, the first concerted effort among all members of Oregon Eye Associates took place.
We were met by a team from the Mexico City Medical School that had pre-screened the population of Tapachula in Chiapas. This resulted in over 160 candidates for surgical correction of glaucoma and cataract. Some of these individuals had walked for three days over the mountains of Guatemala into southern Mexico for vision correction surgery. Within three operating rooms, teams worked 12 hours a day and all 160 patients had vision restoration surgeries.
On the final day, all family members of the patients met with the medical team and expressed their gratitude. This was one of the most heart rendering encounters and many tears were shed by all parties over the impact that had been made.
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