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Success! Saroeun from Cambodia raised $229 to fund eye surgery.

Saroeun
100%
  • $229 raised, $0 to go
$229
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Saroeun's treatment was fully funded on January 24, 2021.

Photo of Saroeun post-operation

January 25, 2021

Saroeun underwent eye surgery.

Saroeun’s surgery went smoothly and successfully. He can already see clearly again, and he and his wife have now returned home to their village. Saroeun was provided with prescription eye drops to make sure his eye heals properly. He is happy that he is able to do things without difficulty and he doesn’t have to worry about vision loss anymore. He looks forward to playing music at Khmer traditional weddings soon!

He shared, “I feel very happy that I can see better, can do things well, and can drive my motor now.”

Saroeun's surgery went smoothly and successfully. He can already see clearly again, and he and his wife have now returned home to their vill...

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December 18, 2020

Saroeun is a 68-year-old rice farmer and musician from Cambodia. After harvest season is over Saroeun works as a Khmer traditional musician, playing music at wedding ceremonies. Due to COVID-19, traditional wedding ceremonies have been cancelled and Saroeun is unable to earn this income for his family. He has two sons, three daughters, and many grandchildren.

One year ago, Saroeun developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him photophobia, itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside.

When Saroeun learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for four hours with his wife seeking treatment. On December 18th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure.

Saroeun said, “I hope I can see my family and my music team clearly after surgery so I am healthy and ready to find another job to support my family.”

Saroeun is a 68-year-old rice farmer and musician from Cambodia. After harvest season is over Saroeun works as a Khmer traditional musician,...

Read more

Saroeun's Timeline

  • December 18, 2020
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Saroeun was submitted by Sieng Heng at Children's Surgical Centre.

  • December 18, 2020
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Saroeun received treatment at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre in Cambodia. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.

  • December 19, 2020
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Saroeun's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • January 24, 2021
    FULLY FUNDED

    Saroeun's treatment was fully funded.

  • January 25, 2021
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Saroeun's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 5 donors

Funded by 5 donors

Treatment
Cataract - One Eye
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $229 for Saroeun's treatment
Hospital Fees
$48
Medical Staff
$141
Medication
$0
Supplies
$40
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

​What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Patients with cataracts experience decreased vision, discomfort, and irritation. Cataracts occur when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, causing functional blindness. These changes in the lens commonly occur with increasing age and therefore affect elderly people. Cataracts can also be congenital or traumatic.

​What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

The decreased vision from cataracts can cause functional blindness. This makes it difficult for the patient to conduct daily activities. Patients often need a family member to help guide and care for them. If the patient is elderly, this often affects a young child in the family. When a grandmother needs help getting around, a young child is often assigned to help with her daily tasks. That child cannot go to school.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

In many countries in the developing world, surgical services are inadequate. Cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness globally. Even where surgical services are available, barriers to surgery remain, including cost, shortage of human resources, poor infrastructure, and limited awareness about access to available services.

  • Process
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Risks and side-effects
  • Accessibility
  • Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

Cataract surgery is the most common surgery performed worldwide. Surgeons remove the cloudy lens and place a clear lens implant in its place.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

A patient's vision can improve to 20/20 within one day after the surgery.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Cataract surgery is highly effective and carries a low risk.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

Cataract surgery is available in most areas of Cambodia. However, free surgery is not as widely available.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Some debilitating effects of cataracts can be improved with glasses. When the cataract becomes mature, however, the only definitive treatment is surgical.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Stephen

Stephen is a young man from Kenya. He is the firstborn in a family of 3 children. Their family has relied on their mother to provide for them as his father passed away when he was young boy. His mother does deliveries for different shop owners around their town. Stephen had to drop out from college do to inability to pay his school fees, and he now helps around the house and helps his mother with the deliveries, which is the how the family makes ends meet. Stephen has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Stephen has been experiencing severe headaches since this past July. He visited a hospital where a CT scan was done that revealed that he had a cyst that was obstructing the normal flow of fluid in and out of the head. An urgent surgery was recommended to remove the cyst, but he did not undergo it due to not having the funds for the procedure. A shunt insertion surgery has been recommended along with a craniotomy that will be performed later to remove the cyst. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $720 to cover the cost of surgery for Stephen that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 23rd and will drain the excess fluid from Stephen's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Stephen will hopefully continue to develop into a strong, healthy man. Stephen says, “I really want to be treated so that I can help my mom provide for us.”

66% funded

66%funded
$476raised
$244to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.