Welcome to our web site.  Enfoque Ixcán is a non-profit organization which provides eye care to a remote jungle region of Guatemala.  Our program is unique in that we train, equip and otherwise enable local eye health promoters to provide eye care so that they can serve their communities on a year around basis.  They provide basic eye exams, eye glasses, eye health education and access to surgical care.

Please take a few minutes to look over our web site.  We think you’ll find it interesting and informative.  Besides the photos in our “photo gallery,” the button to the left will take you to a narrated slide show, which tells some of our story.

Enfoque Ixcán is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.  Your donations are completely deductible.  You can either send a check to our home address or click the PayPal button in the left hand margin.

Thanks for visiting.  If you have questions or comments, feel free to write me.
Scott Pike, OD, president.

Recent happenings and what’s coming up…

…In August 2010 Enfoque Ixcán partnered with Amigos Eye Care from Pacific University College of Optometry spending a week working in the Ixcán.  We are fortunate to be able to stay and work at Santa Teresita clinic for infants and mothers.  The catholic sisters who run the clinic generously allow us to more or less take over much of their space for our work.  Their kindness and help are much appreciated.
In the 4 days of clinics they examined 916 people and dispensed 463 pairs of glasses.  In addition, 60 people were found who need cataract surgeries.  The cataract patients will be referred to Guatemalan eye clinics for their surgical care.  Our eye health promoters, Felipe and Arnulfo will organize trips of up to 10 people at a time and accompany the patients to the clinics to assure adequate and continuous follow-up care.  The patients’ surgeries are paid by Enfoque Ixcán.

…The two eye clinics we use in Guatemala are Visualiza, in Guatemala City and the Alfonso Ponce Foundation in San Cristobal Verapaz.

…In early February Felipe and Arnulfo went to the village of Santiago Ixcán where they spent 4 days examining local people.  On day was rained out, but they saw a total of 44 patients and dispensed 38 pairs of glasses.  Eight people were found needing eye surgeries.

…Our most recent trip was in February, 2011 when my wife, Joene, and I went to the village of Santa Maria Tzejá where Pedro and Felipe, 2 of our eye health promoters (EHPs) live.  Our 3rd EHP, Arnulfo, joined us from his village of Mayalan.  Patients came for exams and I used the opportunity to continue the EHPs training by using the patients as examples.
We also re-supplied the EHPs inventories of glasses, sunglasses and eye drops.

…Pedro and Felipe were invited to make a presentation at the March meeting of the region’s Board of Health, to tell the group about Enfoque Ixcán.  The Board was well impressed and invited Enfoque Ixcán to become regular members of the Board.

…In 2010 our eye health promoters examined 198 people and dispensed 163 pairs of glasses.  They also organized surgical trips for 13 patients and 10 cataracts surgeries were performed, restoring sight to these people.  Enfoque Ixcán has now sponsored 62 cataract surgeries over the last 8 years.  We expect to send 40 people for eye surgeries in 2011.

…The next mission trip is scheduled for mid-August and will once again include a team from Pacific University College of Optometry’s Amigos Eye Care.

More of our recent trip photos can be seen on our Facebook page: Enfoque Ixcán.