Meet Roeun, a 86-year-old woman from Cambodia. “Roeun is married with two sons, one daughters, and ten grandchildren. She enjoys listening to the radio and the monks praying at the pagoda,” shares our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC).
Two years ago, Roeun developed a mature cataract in her left eye. A cataract occurs when a thin, cloudy layer forms over the eye’s lens. “This causes her blurred vision, discharge, tearing, and she is afraid of the sunshine. It is hard for her to see clearly, do work, or go anywhere outside,” CSC explains.
After learning about CSC from a neighbor, Roeun and her niece travelled three hours to visit their clinic. They learned that a simple surgical procedure may restore Roeun’s sight.
With $150, Roeun will undergo cataract surgery, during which her old lenses will be removed and replaced with sheer artificial implants, allowing her to see again immediately after her operation.
Roeun’s niece shares, “I hope my aunt can see everything clear again and go places by herself. I won’t be worried about her loss of vision.”