Khin is a 74-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has six children, twenty grandchildren, and enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio in her free time.
Two years ago, Khin developed a pterygium in right, causing her itchiness, tearing, irritation, 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. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
When Khin learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. Khin 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 03.
Khin’s niece said, “I hope that my aunt is able to see clearly so she can go back outside and recognize our faces again.”