Sambath is a 73-year-old woman living in Cambodia with her husband, four daughters, and four grandchildren. Sambath traveled four hours, accompanied by one of her daughters, to reach our medical partner Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). CSC shares, “Sambath spends her free time visiting the pagoda and listening to the monks pray.”
Sambath has developed cataracts in both of her eyes. Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy. For six years she has been experiencing pain, blurred vision, and tearing as a result of her ocular condition. Sambath says, “it is hard for me to see everything, and I cannot recognize people’s faces. I can’t go walking places by myself.”
For $225, Sambath’s cataracts can be surgically treated. Cataract surgery is the most common surgery performed worldwide. It consists of removing the cloudy lens (phaco procedure) and placing a clear lens (IOL) implant in its place. “After a phaco procedure and IOL implant in each eye, Sambath will be able to see clearly again,” explains CSC.
“I hope my mother can see everything clearly as normal again so she can do work and go places on her own,” Sambath’s daughter shares. “I hope I won’t have to worry about her eyes losing vision anymore.”
Sambath says, “I hope after treatment I can see everything better than now so I can easily go walking anywhere and can help my daughter take care of her grandchildren at home too.”