Savoeun is a vegetable farmer from Cambodia. She is married and has four sons. She enjoys watching the news and social programs on TV.
Ten years ago, Savoeun developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her blurred vision, photophobia, and discomfort. 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 Savoeun learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. Savoeun 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 March 8.
She says, “I hope my eye surgery is successful so I can help my family do work at the farm, and I can easily go anywhere alone comfortably.”