Phal is a 48-year-old rice farmer and carpenter from Cambodia. Phal has one son, three daughters, and three grandchildren. He enjoys watching the boxing channel on TV.
Five years ago, Phal developed a pterygium in his right eye, causing him irritation, tearing, and blurry vision. 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. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
When Phal learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. Phal 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 his procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for April 29th.
“I hope that after surgery my eye irritation will be gone and the tearing will stop. I can go back to planting rice and working as a carpenter,” Phal said.