Khoeurth is a cashew and potato farmer from Cambodia. He has four children and seven grandchildren, and enjoys listening to the news on the radio and watching boxing on the television in his free time.
Ten years ago, Khoeurth developed a pterygium in his right eye, causing him blurry vision, tearing, and irritation. 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. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
When Khoeurth learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for eight hours seeking treatment. Khoeurth 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 his procedure is $201. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for April 3.
He says, “I hope that my surgery is successful so that I am able to go back to work on the farm and be able to take care of myself independently.”
