The gift of sight has the power to transform lives. A mother can see her children clearly again. A grandfather can return to work. A child can experience the world with renewed confidence and hope.
In May 2026, Dr. Asa Morton joined an international team of medical professionals in Huehuetenango, Guatemala, for a week dedicated to restoring vision, providing life-changing surgeries, and bringing compassionate care to underserved communities.
At Eye Care of San Diego, patient care extends far beyond the clinic. Dr. Morton’s ongoing humanitarian work reflects a deep passion for helping others through advanced surgical expertise, kindness, and service. Throughout the mission, patients traveled from rural areas across Guatemala seeking treatment for conditions that had often gone untreated for years due to limited access to specialized eye care.
A Week of Global Collaboration in Huehuetenango
Held May 10–17, 2026, the mission united surgeons, physicians, optometrists, students, and volunteers with one shared goal: improving lives through vision care.
Over the course of the week, nearly 2,000 patients were screened to identify those with the greatest need. In just five days, the surgical team performed cataract surgeries on approximately 300 blind patients, restoring sight and independence to individuals who had been living in darkness.
Dr. Asa Morton’s Surgical Impact
Dr. Morton, a highly skilled oculoplastic and reconstructive surgeon, helped treat patients with a wide range of complex conditions, including orbital tumors, advanced glaucoma, skin cancers, congenital abnormalities, and severe eye injuries.
His role in the mission highlighted not only surgical expertise, but also a commitment to restoring both function and dignity to patients facing life-altering conditions.
Stories That Reflect the Heart of the Mission
Dante’s Journey of Hope
One especially heartwarming patient was Dante, a young boy born without a right eye or eye socket. Over the last four years, the team has helped reconstruct his socket so he could wear a prosthetic eye.
During this year’s visit, Dante proudly brought the team four mangos as a thank-you gift — a small but unforgettable gesture that reflected the meaningful relationships built through continued care.
A Second Chance After Retinoblastoma
Another emotional moment came when the team reunited with a child previously diagnosed with malignant retinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer. After undergoing lifesaving surgery during a previous mission, the child returned healthy and thriving this year to receive an updated prosthetic eye.
Urgent Care for a Life-Threatening Diagnosis
Even during an already full surgical schedule, the team remained committed to helping every patient possible. One woman in her 40s arrived with a malignant orbital melanoma after being unable to afford surgery elsewhere. The team added her case to the schedule in hopes of saving her life.
Education and Building Local Capacity
Beyond surgeries, the mission emphasized education and long-term collaboration. Guatemalan optometry students participated in pre-screening clinics and educational lectures, helping strengthen local eye care resources for the future.
This investment in training ensures that the impact of the mission extends beyond a single week, supporting sustainable improvements in community eye health.
Daily Moments of Recovery and Renewal
Each morning, post-operative patients returned for follow-up care as eye patches were removed and vision restored. The smiles and gratitude shared by patients and families served as powerful reminders of the lasting impact of compassionate medical care.
In addition to surgeries, the team distributed countless corrective glasses, provided medical evaluations, and offered reassurance and guidance to patients seeking answers about chronic eye concerns.
A Mission Defined by Compassion and Hope
For Dr. Morton and the entire mission team, the week was about far more than procedures and surgical numbers. It was about restoring hope, improving quality of life, and making meaningful human connections through the gift of sight.
As the mission concluded, the team celebrated not only the remarkable medical accomplishments, but also the many lives touched throughout the week — already looking ahead to returning again in 2027.
