Yom is a 54-year-old woman who is married with one daughter, three sons, and three grandchildren. Yom and her husband are mango farmers. She shared with us that she enjoys listening to the news on the radio.
Five years ago, Yom developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her irritation, discomfort with her appearance, 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 Yom learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for seven hours with her sister seeking treatment. Yom 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 $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for February 15th.
Yom shared, “I hope after my surgery my eye irritation stops so I can return to work on the mango farm.”
