Why Eye Missions?

Why missions you ask – simply, it’s our way of giving back to people, particularly those less fortunate than us. Vantage Technology was invited to participate in their first mission in 1997 to Mexico. It was the first mission that this particular group had organized for purpose of performing cataract surgeries. Since then Vantage has helped in organizing 6 additional surgical missions to countries, such as El Salvador, Columbia, Guatemala and Mexico.

Why Central American missions? Typically, more severe eye problems are found in areas close to the equator. People living in these regions damage their eyes as the result of excessive & unprotected sun exposure. In addition, poor nutrition and poor medical care cause cataracts to develop at a faster pace than what we experience here in the United States.

What motivates a person to get involved in eye missions? Yes, the hours are long, but the rewards are great. Vantage’s employees and client surgeons come back from these missions inspired, yet humbled by their experiences. During a typical mission week, more than 300 patients are seen by the doctor and approximately 1/3 of these patients have eye surgery of some type. Patients will do anything and everything to have their eyes examined by an American doctor. Some get up in the wee hours of the morning to catch a bus to the mission location. Others walk 20+ miles to be seen at our missions. These patients will sit without anything to eat or drink all day and never complained. Not only are they very strong minded, but they are also very proud & gracious people. To see the smile on a blind person’s face after restoring their eye sight is a sight to behold and cherish. Participating in eye mission trips is a life changing experience. It makes one realize that material things do not make happiness. Happiness comes from within and can be obtained no matter how rich or poor a person is. The simple things of everyday life that we Americans take for granted are oddities for most medical mission areas. After returning from a Vantage eye mission, one’s priorities in life seem to take a new course

Vantage Technology LLC is a mobile outsourcing cataract service and our “Medical Mission Project” provides the opportunity to share with those less fortunate by giving back to those in need.

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