Sopheap, a 67-year-old man from Cambodia, developed a cataract in each of his eyes one year ago. "I can't see well or travel very far on my own," the grandfather of five shares with our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Due to his cataracts, Sopheap experiences blurred vision and general irritation around his eyes. While cataracts naturally worsen and can ultimately lead to functional blindness, this outcome can be avoided through a brief, widely practiced eye surgery. $225 will cover the cost of Sopheap's cataract operation as well as his three-day hospital stay. "After a phaco surgery and an IOL implant in each eye, Sopheap will be able to see clearly again," CSC tells us. Sopheap, who is married and has four children, is a seller at the market and enjoys watching the news on tv in his free time. "I want to continue my selling at the market after surgery," tells us. His wife adds, "I am happy that my husband will be able to see again and can walk places on his own and go outside easily."

49-year-old Lim lives in Cambodia with her four children and two grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoys watching Korean dramas on TV. "Two years ago Lim developed a pterygium in her right eye," reports our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). A pterygium is a growth of pink tissue on the white of the eye. "This causes her blurred vision, burning, and redness," CSC explains. This condition usually develops as a result of UV sun damage to the eye, and commonly occurs among laborers in equatorial regions who do not have adequate eye protection. Although it is non-cancerous, the pterygium will continue to grow over time and can interfere with Lim's vision if left untreated. "I don't feel good doing work or going outside," Lim tells us. Lim traveled three hours with her sister to reach CSC for treatment. For $150, doctors will be able to remove the growth on Lim's eye and use another piece of her healthy eye tissue to patch the affected area. This is a very short procedure, and after using steroid drops for 1-2 weeks her eye will be fully healed. After her procedure, Lim will be relieved of the burning, irritation, and redness from the eye growth. She is looking forward to returning to take care of her family. "I hope my eye will be good looking with no more cyst," she says. "I want to be able to make desserts for selling in front of my home to earn money to support my family."