Phan is a 62-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has three sons, three daughters, and eight grandchildren. Phan likes doing her own housework, cooking for her grandchildren, and taking them to school each morning. In her free time she enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio.
One year ago, Phan developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her eye irritation, pain, tearing, and phobia 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. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
When Phan learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Phan 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 $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for May 11th.
“I hope that my mom’s surgery will be done well and her eye will not be in pain any longer. She loves her grandchildren so much, and wants to see them growing up in the future,” Phan’s son said.