Eyes on Guatemala

Aid project: Finally being able to see again!

A mother and her child waiting for an eye examination.

(Bild: Dr. Masats)

After more than 40 years as a doctor in the eye department at the Hospital of the Brothers of Mercy in Vienna, Dr. Montserrat Masats initiated the "Eyes on Guatemala" aid project last year. How she and her team restore sight to the blind and the touching stories she has to tell.

Simply relaxing in her well-earned retirement was out of the question for Spanish-born Dr. Montserrat Masats: "My profession has always been a calling for me and not just a job. I therefore wanted to make my knowledge, skills and experience available to people who have no financial means."

After more than 40 years as a doctor in the eye department at the Hospital of the Brothers of Mercy in Vienna, she therefore initiated the "Eyes on Guatemala" aid project in this Central American country last year.

Five suitcases full of medical utensils
Packed with five suitcases full of glasses, intraocular lenses, instruments for fine surgery, bandages and medication, Dr. Masats and her team (consisting of ophthalmologists Dr. Konstantin Seiller-Tarbuk and Priv. Doz. Dr. Sibylla Richter-Müksch and surgical nurse Andrea Jandrisits) set off for Guatemala for the second time on February 13, 2024.

The destination for their two-week stay was a hospital in Quetzaltenango, a town in the western highlands at over 2,200 meters above sea level. Ophthalmologic care in the area, which is mainly inhabited by Mayan descendants, is extremely poor and unaffordable for the poor population.

Ophthalmologist too expensive for locals
"A visit to the ophthalmologist costs the equivalent of 150 euros, a cataract operation 1500-2000 euros. And that's despite the fact that the inhabitants only earn an average of 400 euros per month and there is practically no health insurance. Over 90 percent of patients there have therefore never seen an ophthalmologist," reports Dr. Masats.

Dr. Masats examines a patient before surgery.

(Bild: Dr. Masats)

The most common eye problem locally is cataracts, and many of those affected are almost blind. A condition called wing fur is also common - this is a tissue that forms mainly due to strong sunlight, causing the conjunctiva to grow up to the pupil, obstructing vision and resulting in a high degree of corneal curvature.

Cataracts are already widespread from the age of 40
Why are cataracts so common from the age of 40? "We suspect a combination of several factors: on the one hand, the population has a poor metabolism, eats a one-sided diet and is exposed to high levels of UV radiation. Sometimes accidents are also to blame," says the expert. Many people also do not wear sunglasses because it is not customary in their culture.

"In Austria, we remove cataracts in 15 minutes. I wanted to do the same in Guatemala," she explains. The goal was quickly set: She and her team wanted to operate on at least 50 patients according to Austrian standards. Before that, it was important to build trust. This was achieved with the help of local doctors.

Touching stories
One of the patients was Andrea Sanchez, 55 years old and mother of seven children. She left home at midnight to arrive at the clinic on time. She was blind due to her cataracts and could no longer take care of anything. Her husband, who works on a coffee plantation, therefore had to do all the housework. Her adult children paid for her travel and accommodation. After the free operation, she was beaming: "I can finally see again and can look after my family."

The doctor with young Guatemalan colleagues and a patient after a successful cataract operation.

(Bild: Dr. Masats)

55-year-old Rene Gonzalez, who was almost blind before the operation, reacted just as emotionally during the follow-up check. "Thank you, thank you, thank you. I can finally see my wife and children again," he said in tears as he hugged his wife. Such moments of joy and gratitude were also wonderful rewards for Dr. Masat and her team.

Even the sober figures show an impressive record of the Austrian helpers' stay: more than 300 patients were treated in the outpatient eye clinic, 150 pairs of glasses were distributed and 50 operations were carried out. In addition, hundreds of packs of medication were distributed to prevent possible infections after the operations - medicines that the patients would never have been able to afford. Young ophthalmologists and nursing staff from Quetzaltenango were also trained.

Giving the gift of eye treatment
In February 2025, the dedicated doctor and her team will return to Guatemala. Anyone wishing to support the aid project can make a donation to the donation account of ICEP, an independent Austrian NGO with a training-oriented approach and partner organizations in Latin America and elsewhere, which is implementing the project with Dr. Masats. Tax deductible.

Donation account

AT72 2011 1282 5225 3206

Subject: Eyes open - Guatemala