There is a lot of planning and teamwork in accomplishing a mission. With our sights set on the eyes of Pucallpa, Peru where pterygia block vision all too frequently, Dr’s Montero and Neatrour met with Dr Matson and his team of EVMS staff and medical students who travel two times a year to this remote area of the Peru to survey the prevalence of medical problems and provide medical care. Pterygium is a growth of fibro vascular scar tissue on to the cornea from sun and wind exposure that can block sight. It can impair vision as early as age 6 and limit the ability of natives to see to work and care for their families. The goal is to provide a surgical team to remove pterygia and educate medical providers there on the newest techniques to treat this condition. Discussions to expand the eye screening to fundus photography to detect diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration as well as examination of the cornea for dry eyes via pen light fluorescein staining as well as surgical procedures to cataract removal were shared.
EVMS has been recognized 4 times over the past decade by the American Medical Association (AMA) for its global commitment via the international mission work of its faculty and students. Dr Montero has been involved in international medical missions for 2 decades recently partnering with Dr Neatrour of Beach Eye Care in the “Giving Sight” program of MMM (Montero Medical Missions).
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