Welcome to Visualiza magazine, where we explore the most relevant and significant topics and projects related to our clinics, vision centers, hospitals, comprehensive development academy, trainings, conferences and the inspiring success stories of our patients. Discover how each segment and experience contributes to the growth, development and service of Visualiza, giving back to our Guatemalan community.
Immerse yourself in a world of knowledge, innovation and exceptional eye care.
Segments of the month:
Development and training
Ophthalmological conferences
Innovation
*Find our segment indicators at the top corner of each page, they will help you know which segment the information shared within our magazine belongs to.
Visualiza Culture
WORLD SIGHT DAY
This year’s World Sight Day was a significant event for Visualiza, where we reaffirmed our commitment to improving eye health in Guatemala. Throughout the months of September and October, our 13 offices carried out intensive patient recruitment campaigns, looking for those who could benefit from free cataract surgery. With this initiative, we were able to provide a life-changing opportunity for low-income people, improving their quality of life and facilitating their access to quality eye care.
Surgery days were held at our three hospitals, where an unprecedented number of operations were performed. At Vincent Pescatore Hospital in Petén, surgeries were performed on October 3 and 4. We continued at Visualiza Hospital in Quetzaltenango, where we treated another large number of patients on October 7 and 8. Finally, we celebrated our big day on October 10 at the central headquarters in Guatemala City, consolidating the closing of this cataract surgery donation campaign.
We celebrated World Sight Day with more than 500 free cataract surgeries and more than 2,000 patients treated.
This campaign would not have been possible without the support and effort of our medical team and all our collaborators, as well as all the people who have trusted in our mission.
Thank you all for your commitment and for making the hope of better vision a reality for hundreds of Guatemalans!
DAY
OPHTHALMOLOGICAL
Our Commitment to Community Eye Health.
These ophthalmological workshops reaffirm Visualiza’s commitment to extend its services and reach more communities throughout the country. With each workshop, we advance one step closer to our goal of eradicating preventable blindness and improving the eye health of Guatemalans.
In October, Visualiza held two important ophthalmological events in the department of Santa Rosa, reaffirming its mission of bringing eye health to hard-to-reach communities and contributing to the prevention of blindness.
Ophthalmological Events in San Rafael Las Flores and Aldea Amberes: Our first event was held in San Rafael Las Flores, where we received dozens of patients from the community and nearby areas.
The second event was held in Aldea Amberes, where Visualiza provided pri-
Barberena
Mazatenango
This October, Visualiza has been present in Mazatenango, bringing its mission and services closer through various informative and preventive activities. From flyer distribution in markets to interviews in local media, we seek to strengthen our presence in the region and promote eye care in the community.
We started the month with a flyer distribution in Market #1, where we shared detailed information about our new headquarters in Mazatenango, including the services we offer and contact information to schedule appointments. Our second flyer distribution activity took place in the busy market of the old
terminal, where we approached both merchants and buyers, inviting them to participate in preventive checkups and to learn about our Cataract Surgery
San Marcos
Workshops are held in the areas of San Marcos such as Aldea Champollar, Aldea San Rafael and the Official Mixed School of Aldea Santa Rita. During the workshops, visual acuity tests were carried out, serving more than 120 people, including teachers, children and parents.
Totonicapán
In the Totonicapán area, I also carry out events and activities with the support of institutions such as the Totonicapán Health Center and the Municipality of Salcaja. With the objective of providing visual health to more than 90 patients by performing visual check-ups and donating glasses.
A business event was also held for the employees and associates of the Copeliber Agency, with the objective of attracting new patients with pathologies and refractive errors. We formed an alliance with said company, which provided us with advertising through social networks to publicize our services.
DAY PEDIATRIC
At Visualiza, children’s eye health is a priority. That’s why our ophthalmologic team carried out special activities at two rural schools in San Marcos: the San Pedro Petz Rural Mixed School and the Mariano Navarrete Rural Mixed School in Santa María de Jesús. These days combined fun, learning and eye check-ups in an event designed especially for the little ones.
A Unique Celebration
On the occasion of Children’s Day, our vision heroes, Aros and Luminis, accompanied the children to teach them, in a fun way, the importance of taking care of their eyes. The celebration included piñatas, candy, prizes and games, creating an atmosphere full of joy and learning.
More than 500 children served
During the sessions, we performed eye checks on more than 500 children, detecting conditions such as amblyopia and, in one special case, a childhood cataract. This child was referred to the Ventanitas de Luz program, where he will receive the necessary follow-up to guarantee his treatment. In addition, children who required specialized care were referred to our nearest centers to continue with their eye care.
-ADIINTEGRAL DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY
XXII Central American Congress of Ophthalmology
Residents 2024
Visualiza’s Comprehensive Development Academy had an outstanding participation in the recent Central American Congress of Ophthalmology Residents 2024, where the quality and commitment of the educational programs of Master’s Degree in Ophthalmology and Subspecialty in Anterior Segment were highlighted. Dr. Lilyan León Nieto, medical academic director, opened the event representing the institution, accompanied by Drs. Mardy Gómez and Esperanza Castillo, who presented clinical cases of great interest in the subspecialty of Anterior Segment.
In addition, the emerging talent of the residency was evident with the participation of the three first-year students: Dr. Jacobo Ferro, Dr. Rodrigo Bautista and Dr. Zaida Juárez. Their dedication was rewarded when two of their posters were selected as the second and third best work presented in the postgraduate category, an achievement that highlights the excellence of the program.
The academic coordination team also had a relevant participation, being present with an information stand where they shared details about the educational programs that Visualiza offers. This effort is part of the institution’s commitment to remain at the forefront in the training of professionals qualified to eradicate preventable blindness in the region.
The collective efforts of the entire medical and administrative team of Visualiza were reflected in this activity, reaffirming their commitment to the training of highly qualified ophthalmologists who will significantly contribute to the visual health of the Guatemalan population.
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
2. 1. 3. 4.
Presentation of improvement projects by department, highlighting the importance of quality in our services and products. This project was developed by creating SMART objectives and using practical quality tools learned during the module, to evaluate progress and ensure continuous improvement.
WE ARE VISUALIZE COURSE (MODULE 6)
Our Service Model
Ensure that employees understand and apply the principles, standards and practices that define the organization’s quality and service experience; through a uniform experience, allowing the appropriation of these standards at each point of contact with the patient, to achieve consistency and quality in service.
EYELID TUMORS
To establish the classification of eyelid lesions and their medical and surgical management, differentiating benign and malignant lesions according to their clinical characteristics. To define surgical treatment, types of biopsies, pathology and follow-up of cases; presenting the updated management of these cases institutionally.
TYPES OF MATERIALS, RIMS AND LENSES
Provide participants with detailed knowledge of the various frame and lens material and design options available on the market, as well as their properties, benefits and applications for the purpose of timely patient advice.
5. 6.
TEAM INTEGRATION FOR CHANGE (DIPLOMA IN LEADERSHIP)
Strengthen the leadership and management skills of high-performance teams to provide timely guidance to the employees in charge, fostering trust, respect and genuine commitment as part of the organizational transformation process.
SLIT LAMP PHOTOGRAPHY TECHNIQUE
To train vision center optometrists to capture highquality images of the anterior segment of the eye using the slit lamp to facilitate accurate diagnosis and improve remote patient care, including proper lighting, focus, and angles to document various eye structures (such as the cornea, iris, and lens) and specific ocular conditions.
7. 8.
INNOVATIVE AND CONTROVERSIAL THERAPIES FOR PERSISTENT EPITHELIAL DEFECTS AND STROMAL SCARRING
Update on the management of persistent epithelial defects, presenting new therapies such as the use of insulin, losartan and serum rich in growth factors. Detailing the indications and preparation of these therapies, as well as the management and follow-up of patients with these defects, and the appropriate referral.
CONTACT LENSES
To provide participants with the knowledge necessary to effectively advise patients on the selection, use and care of contact lenses, thereby improving their ability to make personalized recommendations and increasing patient satisfaction.
