During the Biennial Update Course of the Mexican Society of Ophthalmology (SMO), for the first time in Mexico, live surgical procedures for glaucoma, cataract, and retina were simultaneously transmitted between Mexico City (CdMx) and Guadalajara.
Key Eye Diseases in Mexico
José Antonio Paczka Zapata, president of the SMO, highlighted that diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cataract are the leading causes of visual impairment and preventable blindness in Mexico, affecting millions across various regions.
Major Conditions in Mexico
Paczka Zapata mentioned that over 350,000 Mexicans live with glaucoma, a chronic and progressive condition damaging the optic nerve. However, at least half of these cases remain undiagnosed.
He also pointed out that diabetes type 2’s rising prevalence has made diabetic retinopathy a growing threat.
According to the Secretary of Health, around 700,000 Mexicans suffer from diabetic retinopathy, making it the primary cause of irreversible blindness in the country. Cataracts affect over two million Mexicans, mainly older adults.
Warning on Electronic Devices
Raúl Macedo Cué, SMO’s general secretary, warned about visual impacts on children, primarily myopia linked to excessive use of electronic devices.
Macedo Cué stated that 50 years ago, pediatric myopia prevalence was around 20% in Mexico. Now, it’s 30%, while in China, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore, 78-85% of children are myopic. He attributed this to the extensive use of electronic devices.
Accessible Technology for Continuous Education
To enable medical professionals to practice surgical procedures using cutting-edge technology instead of human patients, accelerating the learning curve and significantly reducing costs, the SMO signed a collaboration agreement with Ophthalmo University.
This partnership provides training simulation technology for residents and specialist doctors.
Simultaneous Surgery
In an unprecedented event, specialists nationwide witnessed live surgeries in three subspecialties – glaucoma, cataract, and retinal surgery – during the SMO’s 8th Biennial Update Course.
For two hours, attending doctors at Expo Guadalajara closely observed advanced surgical techniques used in high-specialty hospitals in Mexico City (Conde de Valenciana, APEC, and Nuestra Señora de la Luz).
Surgeries conducted in three distinct hospitals were transmitted in real-time using advanced video, digital microscopy, and satellite links, providing an unparalleled immersive experience for attendees of the 8th Biennial Update Course.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are the major eye diseases affecting Mexicans? Glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cataract are the primary causes of visual impairment and preventable blindness in Mexico.
- Why is early detection of eye diseases crucial? Many eye diseases don’t cause pain or present symptoms, making them “peligrosamente invisibles” (dangerously invisible).
- What is the prevalence of myopia in Mexican children? Myopia prevalence among Mexican children is 30%, compared to 78-85% in China, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore. This is partly attributed to excessive use of electronic devices.
- What collaboration has the SMO signed with Ophthalmo University? The SMO and Ophthalmo University have signed a collaboration agreement to provide training simulation technology for residents and specialist doctors.
- What was unique about the 8th Biennial Update Course of SMO? Specialists nationwide witnessed live surgeries in three subspecialties simultaneously transmitted from different hospitals in Mexico City.
