Moeun is a 79-year-old married woman from Cambodia who has five sons, one daughter, and 20 grandchildren. She enjoys making Khmer cakes and visiting the pagoda to join the ceremonies.
Moeun traveled three hours with her granddaughter to reach Children's Surgical Centre for evaluation and treatment of cataracts that developed in her eyes two years ago.
A cataract occurs when there is a buildup of proteins in the lens of the eye. This causes the lens to become cloudy, disrupting the passage of light through the lens and impairing vision. Cataracts are usually due to age-related changes in the eye and are the most common cause of blindness in Cambodia. Formation typically occurs in both eyes, as is the case with Moeun.
Moeun's cataracts cause blurry vision, tearing, and irritation. She cannot see clearly enough to work well or go anywhere outside.
For $292, Moeun will undergo small incision cataract surgery to remove the cloudy lenses from her eyes and replace them with intraocular lens implants. Funding for her treatment also includes four days of hospital care, eye drops and ointments, medicine to reduce pain and prevent infection, and one post-operative consultation.
After surgery, Moeun will be able to see clearly again. Let's help make that happen.