“It is hard to see everything clearly or do any work very well,” shares Khuon, an 80-year-old woman from Cambodia. “I can’t go outside by myself.” Three years ago, Khuon developed a cataract in each eye. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us that due to her condition, Khuon experiences blurred vision, tearing, and itchiness. Cataracts occur when a thin, cloudy layer develops over the eye lens--gradually worsening vision as they continue to grow. For $225, Khuon will undergo the most widely practiced eye surgery. The clouded lens in each eye will be removed and replaced with an artificial substitute. Within a day of the surgery, Khuon will regain her vision. Khuon, who is married with three sons, three daughters, and 20 grandchildren, enjoys listening to the radio and hearing the monks praying. Eager to return to her normal lifestyle, Khuon says, “I hope my eyes can see everything clearly again. I want to help my daughter do housework, take care of my grandchild, and go anywhere outside by myself.”

Meet Tai, a 67-year-old grandmother from Cambodia. “Tai is married with four sons, two daughters, and 15 grandchildren,” says our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). Before she developed cataracts in both of her eyes, Tai spent her free time visiting the pagoda to listen to the monks pray. A cataract occurs when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, most commonly as a result of age-related changes. The cataracts have blurred her vision and rendered her eyes sensitive to sunlight. “It is hard to see clearly and cook food and do other housework,” shares Tai. “Everything I see is cloudy. I can’t go outside far on my own." “Tai’s neighbor received surgery at CSC and told her about it,” explains CSC. Tai’s son, who accompanied Tai on the commute to reach CSC, says “I hope my mother can see everything clearly again after surgery.” With $225, a surgeon will remove the cloudy lens in each of Tai’s eyes and replace it with an artificial lens. After the short operation, Tai will be able to go home the same day with restored vision.