Lim is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has two daughter, four sons, and ten grandchildren. She enjoys listening to monks pray on the radio.
One year ago, Lim developed a pterygium in both eyes, causing her photophobia, blurred vision, and irritation. 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 Lim learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. Lim 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 $201. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for March 7.
She says, “I hope my eye irritation goes away and I can have improved vision.”