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Success! Leang from Cambodia raised $253 to fund cataract surgery so she can see clearly again.

Leang
100%
  • $253 raised, $0 to go
$253
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Leang's treatment was fully funded on September 17, 2022.

Photo of Leang post-operation

September 23, 2022

Leang underwent cataract surgery so she can see clearly again.

Leang and her daughter traveled to CSC for her sight-restoring surgery. After surgery she rested at the hospital overnight, then was able to return home with her daughter. Her eyesight has improved so that she can be more independent in her daily activities and help her daughter with housework and with the children. This makes her happy because she feels more useful to her family.

Leang’s daughter said: “We are so pleased that my mother was able to have the surgery to improve her eyesight. She was sad because she could not help, and now she is very happy to cook and visit the local pagoda and listen to the monks. Thank you to the staff who helped my mother and to the donors who supported our surgery.”

Leang and her daughter traveled to CSC for her sight-restoring surgery. After surgery she rested at the hospital overnight, then was able to...

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April 21, 2022

Leang is a 76-year-old widow with one daughter, two sons, and six grandchildren. She lives with her daughter, who is a farmer. When she is not cooking or helping her daughter to care for the grandchildren, she enjoys listening to the monks chant on the radio.

Five years ago, Leang developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her sensitivity to light and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces. She is also worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own.

When Leang learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On April 21st, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure.

Leang shared, “After surgery, I hope I can see better so I can take care of myself. I want to go to the pagoda by myself and visit with my neighbors without being afraid I will fall.”

Leang is a 76-year-old widow with one daughter, two sons, and six grandchildren. She lives with her daughter, who is a farmer. When she is n...

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Leang's Timeline

  • April 21, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Leang was submitted by Sieng Heng at Children's Surgical Centre.

  • April 21, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Leang received treatment at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre in Cambodia. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.

  • April 25, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Leang's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • September 17, 2022
    FULLY FUNDED

    Leang's treatment was fully funded.

  • September 23, 2022
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Leang's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 4 donors

Funded by 4 donors

Treatment
Cataract - One Eye
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $253 for Leang's treatment
Hospital Fees
$36
Medical Staff
$174
Medication
$0
Supplies
$43
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

​What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Patients with cataracts experience decreased vision, discomfort, and irritation. Cataracts occur when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, causing functional blindness. These changes in the lens commonly occur with increasing age and therefore affect elderly people. Cataracts can also be congenital or traumatic.

​What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

The decreased vision from cataracts can cause functional blindness. This makes it difficult for the patient to conduct daily activities. Patients often need a family member to help guide and care for them. If the patient is elderly, this often affects a young child in the family. When a grandmother needs help getting around, a young child is often assigned to help with her daily tasks. That child cannot go to school.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

In many countries in the developing world, surgical services are inadequate. Cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness globally. Even where surgical services are available, barriers to surgery remain, including cost, shortage of human resources, poor infrastructure, and limited awareness about access to available services.

  • Process
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Risks and side-effects
  • Accessibility
  • Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

Cataract surgery is the most common surgery performed worldwide. Surgeons remove the cloudy lens and place a clear lens implant in its place.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

A patient's vision can improve to 20/20 within one day after the surgery.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Cataract surgery is highly effective and carries a low risk.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

Cataract surgery is available in most areas of Cambodia. However, free surgery is not as widely available.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Some debilitating effects of cataracts can be improved with glasses. When the cataract becomes mature, however, the only definitive treatment is surgical.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.