Kay is a 63-year-old mother of three from Cambodia. She has six grandchildren, and enjoys watching television and going to the pagoda in her free time.
Six months ago, Kay developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her blurry vision, photophobia, headaches, irritation, and tearing. 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 Kay learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Kay 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 $201. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for April 29.
She says, “I hope that my surgery goes well so I am able to see clearly and be able to go wherever I want to on my own.”