Panama

Blindness in Panama

Panama is the southernmost country in Central America. It has been experiencing the highest economic growth in all of Latin America, but unfortunately, the healthcare system is still very inefficient and inaccessible to the majority of Panamanians. Modern medical facilities are only available in the capital of Panama City, creating severe challenges for those living in rural areas when they seek treatment for serious conditions.

Additional barriers to healthcare accessibility in Panama are poor education and low levels of public awareness. Many Panamanians do not know that some conditions of blindness are treatable, like cataracts, glaucoma, and pterygium. 66.4% of all blindness cases in Panama are due to unoperated cataracts. Sadly, most will not seek treatment and continue living needlessly blind.