84-year-old Oun lives in Cambodia with her three sons, six daughters, and 12 grandchildren.
“Four years ago, Oun developed a cataract in each eye,” our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us. “This causes her blurred vision, tearing, and discharge, and she is afraid of bright sunshine. It is hard for her to see clearly, work well, or go anywhere outside.”
Cataracts are cloudy growths that form on the lens of the eyes, and interfere with people's ability to focus light properly and see clearly. Over time, they can cause complete blindness.
Oun and her daughter traveled two hours to reach CSC for medical assistance, after a neighbor referred her. Oun’s cloudy lenses will be removed and replaced with clear artificial lenses which will restore her vision. This treatment costs $225.
“I hope my eye can see everything clearer than now,” Oun shares. “I want to help my daughter do house work, cook food, clean the house, take care of my grandchildren, and go to ceremonies at the pagoda easily.”