Programa Visión

Programa Visión consists of a team of highly qualified ophthalmologists and very skilled medical staff that uses advanced equipment to serve people suffering from different kinds of ocular diseases, mainly cataracts. The program gives priority to the most vulnerable population, those who usually have no access to medical services due to economic, social and geographic barriers.

Activities of Programa Visión
• Daily consultations and surgeries at the main clinics in Asuncion.
• Regular consultations, surgeries and surgical campaigns in different cities and villages outside of Asuncion.
• Services with auxiliary diagnostic methods, such as computerized visual field, topographies, ophthalmologic ultrasound and recounting of endothelial cells.
• Training for ocular health promoters in rural and urban areas.
• Provision of social work services in order to help patients according to their needs.
• Special services for people suffering from diabetes. Diabetic patients need an eye check-up at least once a year.
• Special services for premature infants. The lack of retina control in children born prematurely can cause serious and irreversible consequences, including blindness. Programa Visión has laser equipment and trained professionals to prevent this kind of blindness.

What are cataracts?
A cataract is the clouding of the lens of the eye. The lens casts the rays of light onto the retina, which sends them to the brain. When the eye lens becomes opaque the light rays can no longer reach the retina, preventing the person from seeing. Cataracts become visible when the pupil, which is normally black, turns white, grey or yellowish. Sixty percent of blindness in Paraguay is due to cataracts, which can be cured with a relatively simple surgery that only takes a few minutes in the hands of an expert.