By Dr. Reesha Rona Datukon

Beyond the operating room and beyond the walls of major medical centers, specialized eye care continues to find its way to communities that need it most.

Last August 29-30, 2026, the Philippine Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PSOPRS) brought its annual Orbit and Oculoplastic Surgical Mission to Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) in Tuguegarao City. Led by PSOPRS President Dr. Mark Anthony Imperial, the two-day mission brought together specialists and trainees in a shared commitment to provide much-needed care to patients with complex orbit and oculoplastic conditions.

The mission was organized by PSOPRS member Dr. Jose Miguel Ambat, in close coordination with CVMC Department of Ophthalmology, led by Dr. Eliseo George Ave, Jr. The visiting team was warmly welcomed by the CVMC Ophthalmologists and hospital staff, fostering an atmosphere of camaraderie and collaboration from the very beginning.

Fourteen PSOPRS members, four fellows-in-training, and the CVMC residents and hospitalists worked together to evaluate and treat 24 patients with various orbital, lacrimal, and eyelid conditions. Each consultation and surgical procedure became an opportunity to share expertise while addressing the needs of patients from the region.

Beyond patient care, the event fostered an enriching exchange of knowledge, skills, and experiences among specialists, fellows-in-training, and residents. A notable highlight of the mission was the educational session featuring insightful and informative lectures by Dr. Mae Singson and Dr. Mary Rose Pe-Yan.

As the mission came to a close, it left behind more than completed surgeries and consultations. It strengthened professional partnerships, created opportunities for teaching and learning, and most importantly, brought specialized orbit and oculoplastic care closer to patients in Cagayan Valley. The continued commitment of PSOPRS to these missions serves as a reminder that meaningful healthcare extends beyond borders—and that collaboration can bring expert care where it is needed most.

Photos during the successful two-day surgical mission at CVMC:

PSOPRS members and CVMC residents alongside patients and their families.

A little well-deserved R&R rounded out the journey, bringing another meaningful and rewarding mission to a close.

*Acknowledgements to the PSOPRS members and CVMC team for the photos

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dr. Reesha Rona Datukon, currently a first-year Orbit & Oculoplastics fellow at East Avenue Medical Center, found her inspiration in the PSOPRS surgical mission conducted at Southern Philippines Medical Center several years ago.