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Success! Hen from Cambodia raised $425 to fund bilateral cataract surgery.

Hen
100%
  • $425 raised, $0 to go
$425
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Hen's treatment was fully funded on November 27, 2020.

Photo of Hen post-operation

March 26, 2020

Hen underwent bilateral cataract surgery.

Hen spent a night in the hospital’s recovery ward and, after a successful operation, she has now returned home with improved vision. As per her doctor’s instructions, she will rest and apply eye drops several times per day to prevent infection. Her daughter is very happy about her mother’s surgery, and is glad that her vision has returned and that she can see everything much more clearly without any problems.

Hen shared, “I feel very happy that I can see everything and everyone much more clearly than before. I am now able to help my family at the rice fields, and can feel confident going anywhere I want to on my own again.”

Hen spent a night in the hospital's recovery ward and, after a successful operation, she has now returned home with improved vision. As per ...

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February 26, 2020

Hen is a 71-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has three sons, four daughters, and twenty grandchildren. She enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio at home when she has free time.

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

When Hen learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On February 27th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $425 procedure.

“I hope that I will be able to see clearly again so I can help look after my grandchildren and I can visit the pagoda.”

Hen is a 71-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has three sons, four daughters, and twenty grandchildren. She enjoys listening to the mo...

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Hen's Timeline

  • February 26, 2020
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • February 27, 2020
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Hen 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.

  • February 27, 2020
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Hen's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • March 26, 2020
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Hen's treatment was successful. Read the update.

  • November 27, 2020
    FULLY FUNDED

    Hen's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 12 donors

Funded by 12 donors

Treatment
Cataract - Two Eyes
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $425 for Hen's treatment
Hospital Fees
$88
Medical Staff
$257
Medication
$0
Supplies
$80
  • 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.