Kry is a 72-year-old grandfather from Cambodia. He is married and has one daughter, four sons, and nine grandchildren. For many years, he was the chief of his village’s pagoda, but he has since retired. He lives with his wife, who is a homemaker, and they are supported by their children. At home, he enjoys listening to monks pray on the radio and taking walks with his wife.
Ten years ago, Kry developed a pterygium in his left eye, causing him to experience eye tearing, redness, itchiness, 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. Kry has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
When Kry learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On August 15th, Kry will undergo 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 his procedure is $225, which covers treatment, supplies, and inpatient care for two days.
Kry shares, “I hope after surgery I will be able to see better, go outside, and visit our pagoda.”
