Sokhon is a 51-year-old grocery seller. She is married and lives with her husband, her daughter, and two grandchildren. Her husband is a farmer and her daughter is a garment worker. She sells groceries from the front of their house to neighbors. At home, she likes to watch the news on TV.
Six years ago, Sokhon developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing and burning of her affected eye. She has trouble seeing the local currency from customers and it is hard for her to make change. 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 Sokhon learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. Sokhon 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 $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for September 29th.
Sokhon shared: “I hope after surgery my eye can see better. I can sell groceries and not worry about my eye anymore.”