Mom is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has a daughter and three sons. She likes to watch Thai dramas and listen to monks pray on the radio.
A year ago, Mom developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her blurry vision, irritation, itchiness, and sometimes pain. 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 Mom learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. Mom 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 August 13.
She says, “I hope my eye looks good and my vision is improved so I can return to work on the farm.”