Physical Health Panama Project #72940

Transforming Lives Through Vision Care

by Floating Doctors Inc

Project Report | Jun 12, 2026
Six Days, 303 Life-Changing Procedures

By Jolie LaBrot | Development Director

For the last week of April, 20 volunteer medical professionals joined us at the Hospital in Bocas del Toro to provide free cataract and pterygium surgeries for patients across Bocas del Toro and the Ngäbe Comarca. Together, Floating Doctors, Panama Missions, and tireless doctors and nurses from the hospital completed 303 sight-restoring surgeries.

Cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness globally. In many parts of the world, they are treated long before significant vision loss occurs. But in the remote communities where we work, the cost of surgery and shortage of specialists mean many patients live for years with preventable blindness.

The impact reaches far beyond the individual, In communities with steep mountains, rivers, and difficult terrain, blindness often means not only is the individual no longer able to work, but another family member must stop working or attending school in order to provide care. A surgery that takes only minutes can restore independence and be life-changing for an entire family.

303 is a huge number, but the impact is felt at the individual. For the entire week, we saw the powerful stories behind each patient receiving surgery. One gentleman in his 70’s began traveling by foot down a mountain three days before surgery reach the hospital in time. Our youngest cataract patient, just 20 years old, had been unable to see out of one eye for all of her teens before finally receiving treatment. Her eyes are SO clear now!

A Collaborative Effort

This Campaign was made possible through the partnership between Floating Doctors, Panama Missions, the Ministerio de Salud (MINSA), Prospera Panama, and the Hospital Guillermo Sanchez Borbón, along with the support of so many individuals and businesses in Bocas del Toro. A special thanks to the Policía Nacional de Panama in Bocas, Rotary Club of Bocas del Toro, FlyTrip, Hotel Vista Mar, Tesoro Escondido Lodge, the Bocas Breeze, Pulso Informativo, and all the incredible individuals who made this mission possible.

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Feb 24, 2026
Life-Changing Vision Surgery: Year 2!

By Jolie LaBrot | Development Director

One of our patients post-op and with new glasses!

We are nearing the finaly phase of preparation for or our April vision surgery campaign. After the successes of last year, the momentum is incredible!

Our team is currently finalizing patient selections for this upcoming round of cataract and pterygium surgeries, which will restore sight for more than 250 patients. So many of our patients have lived with preventable vision loss for years, and for some, this will be the first time in a decade or more that clear sight feels possible again.

We’re thrilled to again be working hand-in-hand with Panama Medical Missions, the Ministry of Health of Panama, and Hospital Guillermo Sánchez Borbón in Bocas del Toro. Together, we’re bringing high-quality surgical care to a region that struggles with a lack of specialist options, and removing the financial and logistical barriers to vision care.

This campaign is about so much more than surgery. Patients will travel from remote island and mainland communities, stay overnight at our base after surgery, and receive round-the-clock care from our medical team before returning for their post-operative evaluations the next morning. That comprehensive care—transportation, housing, meals, monitoring, and follow-up—is what makes these surgeries safe, accessible, and truly life-changing.

We’re Almost There — and We Still Need Your Help

To ensure every patient can travel safely and receive full pre- and post-operative care, we still need to raise $14,000. These funds will directly cover transportation, lodging, meals, and medical support for patients coming from some of the most isolated communities we serve.

Thanks to supporters like you, this campaign is becoming a reality. We can’t wait to share the stories, photos, and impact from April. Thank you for being part of this journey with us!

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