Baris is a 24-year-old casino card dealer. He is single and has four brothers, and his parents are grocery sellers. Since the casino he worked at closed due to the pandemic, he has not been able to find another job.
A year ago, Baris developed a pterygium in his left eye causing him poor vision, itchiness, tearing, and irritation. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
When Baris learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On September 6th, Baris will undergo a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of his procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days.
Baris shared, "I hope after surgery, I won't have problems with my eye. I want to find a job without being ashamed of my eye."