Mexico City, November 24, 2025.—Under the slogan of turning our attention back to those who need it most, the Universidad Panamericana, in partnership with the Medicine and Social Assistance Foundation, A.C. (+MAS), successfully held the 27th edition of the “Seeing Again Without Cataracts” Conference.
From November 5 to 8, the +MAS Clinic in Tlapa de Comonfort, Guerrero, became a beacon of hope where more than 200 people regained their sight, far exceeding the 172 treatments provided in 2024.
A Year of Significant Improvements
This eye health campaign brought together a large group of49 specialized volunteers: 17 ophthalmologists, 3 anesthesiologists, 8 surgical nurses, 9 biochemical engineers, and 12 volunteers and students from the Universidad Panamericana.
For the first time since the pandemic began, a team of more than 100 people worked together, enabling flawless logistics that allowed for an extraordinary volume of services to be provided in just two and a half days of intensive work.
“This year, we implemented significant operational improvements that allowed us to be more efficient without compromising the quality and warmth of our care. The result: 208 cataract surgeries performed and 433 patient visits” preoperative, postoperative, and general ophthalmology,” noted Dr. Rafael Cardoso Arias, MHA, a member of the Medical Council of Medicina y Asistencia Social, A.C., and an alumnus of the School of Medicine at the Universidad Panamericana.
He also added, “Each number represents a person who gets to see the faces of their loved ones again and take back control of their life.”
27 Years of Commitment to Eye Health
The “Seeing Again Without Cataracts” Workshops aim to providetimely, safe, effective, and patient-centered ophthalmic surgical careto the residents of the Guerrero Mountains and surrounding areas of Oaxaca and Morelos.
Cataracts, the leading cause of reversible blindness worldwide, find a tangible solution in this initiative, which not only restores vision but also restores independence and significantly improves quality of life.
The origins of this commendable work date back to 1993, whenDr. Jorge Alberto Castro Ramírez, founder and executive director of Medicina y Asistencia Social, A.C., launched an annual social camp in response to the region’s urgent needs.
In 1997, with the support ofDr. Juan Ignacio Babayán, founder of the Mexican College of Glaucoma, the high incidence of cataracts was identified, and these surgical campaigns were formally launched; today, they serve as a model of effective social intervention.
UP's Participation in “Seeing Again Without Cataracts” Conference
The participation of the “ Universidad Panamericana ” has been essential in the “Seeing Again Without Cataracts” Conference. For more than 27 years,over 400 volunteers from our university—including specialists, interns, and nurses—have dedicated their talent and time to this cause.
In the 2025 edition, nine Social Service Intern Physicians (MPSS) from the School of Medicine at the National Institute of Health ( Universidad Panamericana ) joined the team, enhancing their professional training through an experience that had a profound human impact.
On an ongoing basis, the university sends six to eight medical interns to work at Clínica +MAS, reinforcing its commitment to health, empathy, and service.
Through these initiatives, the National Institute for Higher Education ( Universidad Panamericana ) not only reinforces its commitment to a well-rounded education that extends beyond the classroom, but also reaffirms its dedication to service and its firm determination to help build a Mexico with more opportunities for everyone.
