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Success! Saron from Cambodia raised $229 to fund surgery on her left eye.

Saron
100%
  • $229 raised, $0 to go
$229
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Saron's treatment was fully funded on June 1, 2020.

Photo of Saron post-operation

February 2, 2020

Saron underwent surgery on her left eye.

Saron has returned home to her family in Phnom Penh after a quick and successful surgical operation on her left eye. Saron’s husband is very glad that his wife can see clearly after surgery, and can easily go back to work. He is grateful that she can go anywhere she wants to again, and he will no longer have to worry about her sight and vision loss.

“I am so happy that I can see things clearly again after my surgery. Now, I can continue my work and business selling vegetables, I can do any housework as well, and I am able to go outside anywhere that I want to on my own again much more easily than before,” Saron said.

Saron has returned home to her family in Phnom Penh after a quick and successful surgical operation on her left eye. Saron’s husband is very...

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January 13, 2020

Saron is a 63-year-old vegetable farmer from Cambodia. She has one son, three daughters, and four grandchildren. When she has free time, she enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio.

Two years ago, Saron developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision and irritation. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside.

When Saron learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On January 14, 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 I will be able to see again and can return to taking care of and selling my vegetables,” she said.

Saron is a 63-year-old vegetable farmer from Cambodia. She has one son, three daughters, and four grandchildren. When she has free time, she...

Read more

Saron's Timeline

  • January 13, 2020
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • January 14, 2020
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Saron 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.

  • January 16, 2020
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Saron's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • February 2, 2020
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Saron's treatment was successful. Read the update.

  • June 1, 2020
    FULLY FUNDED

    Saron's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 4 donors

Funded by 4 donors

Treatment
Cataract - One Eye
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $229 for Saron'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.