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Pho from Cambodia raised $229 to fund eye surgery.

Pho
100%
  • $229 raised, $0 to go
$229
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Pho's treatment was fully funded on November 15, 2020.

Photo of Pho post-operation

March 11, 2020

Pho underwent eye surgery.

Pho’s surgery was quick and successful, and she has now regained sight in her left eye. Pho spent one night in the ward and has now returned to her village. At home, she will rest and apply antibiotic eye drops multiple times per day to prevent infection. Pho’s son is very happy she is able to see everything and everyone much more clearly than before. She is also happy she is able to return to her work and she can go anywhere outside that she wants without difficulty.

Pho shared, “I am so happy that my eyes can see everything clearly again, and now I can continue my work at the rice farm, do housework, and can go anywhere I want to by myself much more easily than before.”

Pho's surgery was quick and successful, and she has now regained sight in her left eye. Pho spent one night in the ward and has now returned...

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February 3, 2020

Pho is a 65-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She is a mother of three, one son and two daughters, and she also has four grandchildren. When she is at home, she enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio.

One year ago, Pho developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her vision loss and irritation. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside.

When Pho learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 4th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure.

“I hope that my mom will be able to see better so she can recognize things again.” -Pho’s son

Pho is a 65-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She is a mother of three, one son and two daughters, and she also has four grandchildren. Wh...

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Pho's Timeline

  • February 3, 2020
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Pho was submitted by Lindsay Bownik, Stakeholder Relations Officer at Children's Surgical Centre.

  • February 4, 2020
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Pho received treatment at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre in Cambodia. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.

  • February 8, 2020
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Pho's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • March 11, 2020
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    We received an update on Pho. Read the update.

  • November 15, 2020
    FULLY FUNDED

    Pho's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 8 donors

Funded by 8 donors

Treatment
Cataract - One Eye
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $229 for Pho's treatment
Hospital Fees
$48
Medical Staff
$141
Medication
$0
Supplies
$40
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

​What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Patients with cataracts experience decreased vision, discomfort, and irritation. Cataracts occur when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, causing functional blindness. These changes in the lens commonly occur with increasing age and therefore affect elderly people. Cataracts can also be congenital or traumatic.

​What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

The decreased vision from cataracts can cause functional blindness. This makes it difficult for the patient to conduct daily activities. Patients often need a family member to help guide and care for them. If the patient is elderly, this often affects a young child in the family. When a grandmother needs help getting around, a young child is often assigned to help with her daily tasks. That child cannot go to school.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

In many countries in the developing world, surgical services are inadequate. Cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness globally. Even where surgical services are available, barriers to surgery remain, including cost, shortage of human resources, poor infrastructure, and limited awareness about access to available services.

  • Process
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Risks and side-effects
  • Accessibility
  • Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

Cataract surgery is the most common surgery performed worldwide. Surgeons remove the cloudy lens and place a clear lens implant in its place.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

A patient's vision can improve to 20/20 within one day after the surgery.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Cataract surgery is highly effective and carries a low risk.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

Cataract surgery is available in most areas of Cambodia. However, free surgery is not as widely available.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Some debilitating effects of cataracts can be improved with glasses. When the cataract becomes mature, however, the only definitive treatment is surgical.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.