Meet Mao, a 64-year-old woman from Cambodia. “Mao is married without children. She works as a cleaner and enjoys visiting the pagoda in her free time," shares our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Four months ago, Mao developed glaucoma in her right eye. Glaucoma damages the eye's optic nerve, causing vision to gradually get worse over time. "This causes her blurred vision, discharge, tearing, and fear of bright lights. It is hard for her to see clearly, do work, or go anywhere outside," CSC explains. After learning about CSC, Mao and her niece traveled three hours to visit their clinic. With $300, Mao will undergo trabeculectomy surgery, a surgical procedure used in the treatment of glaucoma to relieve eye pressure by removing portions of the eye's infrastructure. "I hope my eye can see everything clear again,” shares Mao, “I can then work and go outside easily."

Teng is a 67-year-old wife, mother, and grandmother from Cambodia. When she is not helping her daughter make noodles to sell, she enjoys visiting the pagoda to hear the monks pray and participate in ceremonies. “Two months ago, Teng's right eyelid began to turn inward so that her eyelashes scrape the surface of her eye,” our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us. “She has been diagnosed with entropion of the right eyelid.” Entropion typically affects only the lower eyelid. The condition occurs most often in older adults due to age-related relaxation of muscles under the eyes or infection of the eyelid. If not treated, entropion can cause damage to the cornea, eye infections, and even vision loss. For $290, a surgeon will remove a small part of Teng's eyelid to tighten the muscles and tendons and correct the entropion. Funding also covers the costs of three days of hospital care, eye drops and ointments, medicine to reduce pain and prevent infection, and pre- and post-operative consultations. “After a lid correction surgery,” says CSC, “Teng's right eye will be relieved of pain and irritation.” Teng looks forward to a successful surgery and relief from discomfort. “I hope my eye is easy to open, so I can help my daughter do some work at home, and I can easily go anywhere outside," she shares.