Kem is a 54-year-old construction worker with one daughter and four sons. He lives with his wife who is a housewife and proudly shared that all of his children are students. He likes to listen to the news on the radio when he is home.
Three years ago, Kem developed a pterygium in his right eye, causing him tearing, itchiness, and constant burning in the eye. 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.
When Kem learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. Kem 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 December 2nd.
Kem told us, “I hope after surgery my eye feels good again so I can go back to work and not worry about my eye anymore.”