Leang is a 62-year-old farmer. She’s married and has two daughters, five sons, and seven grandchildren. She lives with her youngest son, who is a student, and her husband, who is a farmer. Leang cannot work in the rice fields as often anymore due to her eye condition. At home, she enjoys listening to the radio and the monks pray.
Two years ago, Leang developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her itching, irritation, burning, and tearing. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growth occurs when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. As a result, Leang has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
When Leang learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On October 19th, Leang will undergo a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent a recurrence. CSC is requesting $216 to fund the total cost of this procedure, which includes medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days.
Leang shared, “I hope my eye irritation stops and I can feel comfortable enough again to help my husband in the rice field”