VOSH Trip to Panama 2008
UC Berkeley Students

The UC Berkeley Student VOSH members conducted a trip to Panama in 2008. It was a very successful trip. Our group was comprised of eight first year students, three second year students, and two sponsoring ODs. We brought approximately 2016 glasses where about 600 of those were sunglasses.

We spent day one at a local school in El Pantano and days two and three at La Clinica de Salud in Santiago. Our visionscreenings included histories, VAs, refraction, ocular health, and dispensing. Many referrals were made for patients with cataracts,pterygiums, and some other sight threatening conditions.

The local OD, Dr. Sandra Wang-Harris, is currently working on case study to analyze the overall impact our group made in the community based upon sampling a number of patient charts. Over three clinic days, we saw approximately 650 patients. We donated the remaining sunglasses and eye drops to the Santiago Lions Club for future vision screenings.

Some patients walked days through hills and valleys to then wait another day in line with no break to eat, hide from the heat, or to sit down. Despite all this, they still waited patiently and were full of smiles when it was their turn to have their eyes examined. I also have to say, the children were so well behaved that you'd wish that all your patients are children! They don't squirm, complain, or run away from your ophthalmoscope. The Panamanians' gratitude leaves you feeling that this is a place where a little bit of your time can make a big difference in someone else's life.

Panama is a place worth visiting on its own. The landscape is unlike anything around Berkeley. The countryside locals were incredibly friendly(though I can't say the same about the city folks). One of my memories that captures my experience in Panama was during our post-clinic excursions. There were five of us making our way back towards Panama City. We were exhausted after clinic, bumpy bus rides, and sleepless nights of angry crowing roosters. With no public transportation to our hotel, we prepared ourselves for a long daunting walk down the gravel road under the the scorching sun. By luck, a taxi passed by and our well experienced Peace Corps companion was able to to flag it down. Relieved and without hesitation, we threw our oversized luggages (previously jammed pack with glasses) onto the truck. After hopping on ourselves, we asked how much for the ride to the hotel. The startled and confused driver then told us he wasn't a taxi driver but he'd take us anyway!