Nen is a 37-year-old rice farmer who lives with her husband and daughter in Cambodia. In her free time, she likes to watch the music channel and comedy shows on TV and chat with her neighbors.
About ten years ago, Nen developed a pterygium in each eye, causing her to experience blurred vision, irritation, tearing, and itching. It is difficult for her to see things clearly, work on her farm, or walk anywhere on her own.
A pterygium is a wing-shaped growth of tissue that appears as a membrane on the surface of the eye. The growth extends from the inner or outer corner of the eye toward the center and is typically noticed when it begins to cover the iris, the colored portion of the eye surrounding the pupil. Common symptoms include burning, itching, and blurry vision, as Nen is experiencing.
Nen learned about Watsi’s medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), from a neighbor who had undergone surgery there. Nen and her sister traveled three hours to reach CSC for evaluation and treatment.
On April 25, eye surgeons at CSC will remove the pterygia from Nen’s eyes to enable her to see clearly again. However, Nen needs help raising the $148 needed to pay for the surgery, three nights in the hospital, food for herself and her sister, eye drops and ointments, and medicine to reduce pain and prevent infection. Let’s help make that happen!