Sok Khuon is a 32-year-old construction worker from Kampong Speu province in Cambodia. He is married and has one son and one daughter, both of whom are in school. His wife works in a local garment factory. When he isn’t working, Sok Khuon likes to listen to music and play volleyball.
Five years ago, Sok Khuon developed a pterygium in his right eye, resulting in declining vision, irritation, redness, and tearing. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is damaged by excessive sun exposure, causing cells to grow abnormally over the pupil.
Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, is seeking $225 to fund treatment for Sok Khuon. On April 25th, at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, Sok Khuon will undergo a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the surface of the cornea, replacing it with a conjunctival graft to prevent a recurrence. The $225 will cover medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days.
Sok Khuon shared: “I hope after this surgery my eye stops being irritated and tearing. I want to go to work outside with a comfortable eye.”