Ruos is a 59-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has eleven grandchildren, and in her free time she likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio and go to the pagoda.
Four years ago, Ruos developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her irritation, tearing, and blurred vision. 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 Ruos learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for four hours seeking treatment. Ruos 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 March 11.
She says, “I hope my surgery is successful so that I am able to go back to helping my daughter and taking care of my grandchildren.”