Tony is a 53-year-old rice farmer with one son and one daughter, both of whom are students. His wife is a grocery seller. Due to poor vision, he mostly stays at home and listens to the news or boxing on the radio.
Three years ago, Tony developed a pterygium in his right eye, causing him inflammation, pain, burning, and photophobia. 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. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
When Tony learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. Tony 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 his procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for September 14th.
Tony says, “I hope after surgery my eye will improve. I want to be able to plant crops and earn money for my family again.”