Kuong is mother of nine from Cambodia. She has three daughters, six sons, and twenty grandchildren. She likes playing with the grandkids and listening to the monks on the radio.
Four years ago, Kuong developed a pterygium in both eyes, causing her blurred vision, irritation, and tearing. 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. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
When Kuong learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for five hours seeking treatment. Kuong 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 $201. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for February 7.
Her husband says, “I am worried about her going blind in the future. This surgery will help that not happen.”