"One year ago, Tho developed a cataract in his right eye," our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us. They add that this condition causes the 78-year-old from Cambodia to have "blurred vision, burning, tearing, and irritation. He can't see clearly, read, or go outside." A cataract occurs when the lens of the eye becomes clouded with age, or as a result of environmental factors, like exposure to sunlight. Tho is a monk and enjoys reading Buddhist texts, meditating, and spending time with his wife, daughter, and six grandchildren. Tho is not able to be as independent as he would like because of his impaired vision. One of his students traveled three hours with him to CSC so that Tho could receive treatment. For $150, Tho will have the clouded lens of the cataract removed from his eye and have a clear, artificial, lens surgically implanted. This operation will eliminate the burning, tearing, and discomfort and also restore his vision.