Phoeun is a 57-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has five children, and in her spare time she enjoys watching Khmer dramas on television and taking care of her eight grandchildren.
Three months ago, Phoeun developed a pterygium in right, causing her blurry vision, tearing, and photophobia. 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 Phoeun learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Phoeun 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 October 02.
Phoeun said, “I hope that after my operation, I will be able to see clearly again and can return to planting rice.”