A cataract surgery initiative in Tijuana has successfully treated 332 patients during 2026, according to the Jurisdicción de Servicios de Salud Tijuana (JSST). The program operates through a partnership with Fundación Lux and Eyes Advance to provide timely, no-cost vision procedures for older adults and individuals managing chronic health conditions who otherwise lack access to these specialized surgeries.
Tijuana Cataract Program Reaches 332 Patients in 2026
The JSST initiative combines initial medical consultations with fast outpatient surgical procedures to address untreated cataracts in vulnerable populations. According to Carlos De Loera, coordinator of the Older Adult Health program for the JSST, the primary goal is to help elderly patients and those with chronic illnesses recover their sight promptly and completely free of charge. The program specifically targets individuals who have not received treatment through other healthcare providers.
“This program pretende operar a cierto número de pacientes, que cumplan con algunos requisitos respecto a cirugía de cataratas, y esto es para recuperar y ayudar a la visión de pacientes con enfermedades crónicas o adultos mayores que tienen la enfermedad, y que, por alguna u otra razón, no han atendido o no han sido operados,” De Loera stated, according to municipal health reports.
Collaborating organizations Fundación Lux and Eyes Advance manage the clinical execution of the procedures. The intervention removes the clouded lens through a rapid surgical technique and replaces it with an intraocular lens to restore clear sight.
Eligibility Requirements and Surgery Process
Patients seeking enrollment in the Tijuana surgical program must meet specific health and administrative criteria established by the JSST. Candidates must be over 60 years old, present with chronic conditions such as obesity, high triglycerides, diabetes, or hypertension, and lack medical coverage through other institutional health systems like IMSS or ISSSTE.
Interested individuals can call the dedicated coordination line at 664 6386759 to verify requirements and schedule an initial evaluation. Once approved, medical staff arrange the procedure at no cost to the patient.
De Loera noted the high efficiency of the surgical workflow. “Depende de cada paciente, pero la intervención es muy breve, en dos horas o dos horas y media, el paciente ya entró y salió de su cirugía,” he explained, detailing that the medical team extracts the cataract surgically and places an intraocular lens during the short outpatient visit.
Preventive Care for Chronic Illnesses
Health officials emphasize that early detection remains critical for patients living with underlying metabolic and vascular conditions. The JSST advises community members with chronic illnesses to schedule routine medical evaluations to catch lens opacities before vision loss interferes with daily independence.
Maintaining strict control of chronic illnesses through prescribed medications, proper nutrition, and regular physician monitoring helps mitigate severe ophthalmic complications, according to JSST guidance.
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