Restoring Sight in Honduras: Wake Forest Ophthalmology Returns to Manos Amigos
The Wake Forest University School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology recently completed its fourth trip to the Manos Amigos Clinic in Honduras, January 19-23, continuing a growing partnership focused on restoring sight and strengthening local care.
Manos Amigas staff and the Wake Forest Team work side-by-side to deliver life-changing cataract surgery.
During this visit, the team performed 61 cataract surgeries—each one life-changing for patients who would otherwise have little or no access to this care. Looking ahead, the team is excited to expand the range of services offered at the clinic in future trips.
This effort was part of a larger Wake Forest mission team serving in Honduras that same week. Additional team members worked at Hospital Fraternidad in San Pedro Sula, where Wake Forest has partnered for more than a decade. There, surgeons performed corneal transplants and strabismus procedures, further extending the impact of the trip.
The trip brought together a dedicated team including faculty members Mike Evans and Levi Kauffman, residents Jeff Powell and Andy Hesse, alumnus Brian Foster, and medical student Christina Molkenthin.
A key partner in this work is Manos Amigos optometrist Karen Murillo, who plays an essential role in patient care. She identifies surgical candidates and, throughout the week, arrives early each day to dilate patients, perform measurements, assist with anesthesia blocks, and check postoperative vision. Her ongoing presence at the clinic ensures that patients receive critical follow-up care—an essential component of successful outcomes.
Training the Next Generation
For the residents, the experience was both meaningful and hands-on. They performed numerous phacoemulsification procedures using the Oertli system and gained valuable experience in Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery under the expert guidance of Dr. Foster—skills that are especially important in resource-limited settings.
The team was also supported by Marlon Tabora, a native of La Entrada and recent medical school graduate who provided pre- and postoperative care.
Dr. Tabora’s connection to the clinic began in childhood, when he served as an interpreter for visiting medical teams. That early experience sparked a passion for medicine and service that continues today. He now works in primary care at the clinic while applying to ophthalmology residency programs in Central America.
His goal is to return to Manos Amigos as a full-time ophthalmologist—bringing his journey full circle. The team looks forward to the day he serves as a cataract surgeon there, continuing the mission of restoring sight within his own community.
Building Care That Lasts
Beyond the surgeries themselves, the Department of Ophthalmology is committed to a broader mission:
Providing vision-restoring care to underserved populations
Strengthening the capacity of local providers and clinics
Inspiring trainees to pursue lifelong service through global health work
