Choeun is a 52-year-old farmer from Cambodia. She is single and lives with and takes care her mother, who is 85. She spends a lot of time planting rice in the area around their home, but when she has free time, she gets together with her many friends.
Two years ago, Choeun developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her blurred vision, tearing, and severe itchiness. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil.
When Choeun learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. Choeun needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for June 8th.
Choeun said, “I hope that my surgery will be successful and that I will see much better, so I can take care of my mom, do my farm work and plant some vegetables around my house.”