Oun is a 65-year-old married woman from Cambodia. She has one daughter, who she is living with, and she is helping her daughter by cooking and doing housework. She likes to watch Khmer movies on TV.
Three years ago, Oun developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her eye irritation, itchiness, tearing, and redness. 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. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
When Oun learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for one and a half hours seeking treatment. Oun 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 April 8th.
“I hope that my mother’s eye irritation will stop so she can work and travel by herself. I can go to earn income without any worry about her at home,” Oun’s daughter said.
