Soda is an 18-year-old garment factory worker who lives with her husband in Cambodia.
“One month ago, Soda began experiencing pain from her right eye,” our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC) tells us. “Her right eye has developed a painful chalazion that causes swelling and discomfort.”
A chalazion is an eyelid cyst caused by a blocked oil duct. Initial symptoms include redness and swelling of the involved eyelid, followed by the formation of a firm bump that can become as large as a pea. If the chalazion is large enough, it can cause tearing of the eye or blurred vision.
“I feel bad looking, and this makes me shy around my neighbors,” says Soda.
$150 in funding pays for the surgery that Soda needs, as well as two days of hospital care and follow-up care after surgery. “After a chalazion removal procedure,” explains CSC, “Soda will no longer have a swollen and painful cyst on her right eye.”
Soda’s sister, who traveled with her to CSC, looks forward to Soda receiving care. ”I won’t have to worry about her having more problems with her eye,” she says.
Soda is eager to have the chalazion removed. “I want to return to do my job at the garment factory and be good looking again,” she says.