Multidisciplinary screening of an underserved Guatemalan population

A team of 22 volunteers co-sponsored by the Wheaton AM and Antigua Rotary clubs conducted a four day medical mission at Good Samaritan Hospital in Chichicastenango, Guatemala. The main objective was to provide ophthalmic, hearing and dental services to indigenous Mayans with limited access to health care in this mountain town. The team consisted of 3 optometrists, 4 audiologists and 1 dentist along with support personnel. Vision and ocular health screenings were conducted to provide eyewear, diagnostic services, treatment with pharmaceuticals and referral for consultation when surgical care was warranted. Hearing services included ear cleaning, testing for hearing loss and fitting of hearing aids. Dental services were primarily aimed at removal of painful, decayed teeth. Services were provided at no cost to the patients. Over 500 vision screenings and over 200 hearing screenings were conducted. 100 dental patients were served. The vision patients ranged in age from 1 to 92 years old; two thirds were female. Acute problems managed included foreign body removal, bacterial conjunctivitis, and a case of orbital disease. Chronic problems included glaucoma, dry eye, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. 66 patients were referred for surgical care. A secondary goal of this mission was to build local contacts to establish a permanent ophthalmologic rotation. To this end, details concerning local housing, clinic space, equipment, and follow up care through the commitment of a local ophthalmologist were successfully addressed. The acute and chronic problems observed on this mission justify the need for ongoing access to eyecare in this remote area.