Touch is a 55-year-old woman from Cambodia. She and her husband have seven daughters and eleven grandchildren. They live with one of her older daughters, who works at a garment factory. Touch’s husband recently lost his job, so they have been spending most of their time taking care of all their grandchildren. In her free time, Touch likes to watch Khmer and Indian drama shows on TV.
Six years ago, Touch developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her severe irritation, blurred vision, and tearing. 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. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
When Touch learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for one-and-a-half hours seeking treatment. Touch needs 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 her procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for September 28th.
Touch said, “I hope after this surgery I can see better and help my family more with the work that needs to be done around the house.”