Lay is an 80-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. She has three sons, four daughters, and twenty nine grandchildren. She and her husband live next to her youngest daughter and her family. Lay spends most of her time helping care for her grandchildren and cooking large meals for her extended family. In her free time she likes to listen to music or news on the radio.
Ten years ago, Lay developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision, tearing and photophobia. Her symptoms have worsened in the past three months. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside.
When Lay learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for three-and-a-half hours by taxi seeking treatment. On July 13th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure.
Lay shared, “I can’t work anymore, but I still want to be independent and help take care of my family. I hope this surgery helps me see well enough to do the house work.”