Every patient has a story.

Stories We Share…

Over the years, Panama Eye Ministry has had the privilege of walking alongside individuals and families whose lives have been changed through restored vision, compassionate care, and the hope of Christ.

This page will highlight personal stories from past trips, stories of courage, healing, gratitude, and renewed opportunity.

This sweet girl was only 20 years old with a dense cataract.  She was totally blind in her left eye due to some trauma she had in that eye at age 13. 

A young woman with braided hair and light skin, sitting against a white wall with a mirror behind her, wearing a black t-shirt, and looking directly at the camera.
Close-up of a person receiving an eye examination, with a healthcare provider examining the eye using fingers near the eyelid and eyebrow.

She came to us very withdrawn and somber.  As you can see, when we removed her patch the day after surgery, her vision was back to normal.

With her new sight, her attitude and demeanor changed dramatically.  She can now move forward with her life in confidence and renewed hope.

A woman with dark hair in a ponytail, wearing a black top, sitting against a green textured background.
Doctor Burcham, Nurse and our lovely young patient feeling better post cataract removal.

This is our remarkable patient with Downs Syndrome. When she first came to us last year, she was completely blind in both eyes.

A healthcare worker gently touches an elderly patient's forehead, who is sitting in a wheelchair. Both are wearing masks, and the worker is in scrubs, a surgical cap, and glasses, in a medical setting.

Her older sister served as her sole caregiver. At the time, the patient was largely nonverbal, rarely interacted with others, and kept her head down most of the time. After we removed her patch last year, she held her head up and began to look at everything around her.  She maintained eye contact with people and interacted with them. Her sister was very tearful when she witnessed that day.

Medical team performing a surgical operation in an operating room with surgeons, nurses, and medical equipment.
Three healthcare workers wearing blue and pink scrubs, surgical masks, and hair covers participating in a medical procedure or discussion in a clinical setting.
A group of medical staff and elderly patients in a healthcare setting. Two women are seated, engaging in conversation; one of the women is wearing a surgical cap and scrubs, and the other is wearing a hair cap with a hospital gown. Three other medical professionals stand nearby, one with an eye patch and mask, another leaning over the seated patients, and a third holding a smartphone. The background features a pink poster on the wall with decorative text and illustrations.

This year, when she returned to be evaluated, her sister said our patient was taking initiatives in self-care by dressing and feeding herself.  She had even taken up painting and other art projects. The last picture shows her smiling after her second surgery, performed this year. Her new vision has given her and her sister renewed hope and a new life.

Three women, one patient with an eye patch, smiling and posing for a photo indoors. The patient is wearing hospital gown with colorful patterns. Two healthcare workers are standing on either side, one in a white shirt and the other in blue scrubs, both smiling. The woman in blue scrubs has her hand gently on the patient's shoulder.