Kong is a housewife from Cambodia. She is married and has one daughter. She likes to watch the news and Thai dramas on TV.
Three years ago, Kong developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her blurry vision, burning, and itchiness. 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 Kong learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Kong 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 June 12.
She says, “I hope the pterygium removal is successful so that I can work at home and have no more eye pain.”