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Success! Som Oeun from Cambodia raised $253 to fund eye surgery to see well again.

Som Oeun
100%
  • $253 raised, $0 to go
$253
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Som Oeun's treatment was fully funded on February 13, 2023.

Photo of Som Oeun post-operation

February 27, 2023

Som Oeun underwent eye surgery to see well again.

Som Oeun’s vision was obscured and blurry. On the advice of a relative, Som Oeun traveled with her daughter to seek help. During her medical consult, it was identified that cataracts were causing her blurry vision. Fortunately, this could be remediated through surgery.

After the surgery, when she was able to open her eyes, she was amazed at how well she could see colors and faces. Som Oeun’s life will improve, with her newly improved eyesight she will be able to care for her husband and cook for her grandchildren.

As Som Oeun said after the surgery “I am glad I took the advice of my family to get help from CSC. I can see much better and do things by myself. I will be able to watch TV and visit our local pagoda. Thank you for supporting my operation, I am very grateful.”

Som Oeun's vision was obscured and blurry. On the advice of a relative, Som Oeun traveled with her daughter to seek help. During her medical...

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October 17, 2022

Som Oeun is a 64-year-old rice farmer, who has one daughter, four sons, and two grandchildren. She lives with her disabled husband and her youngest daughter who is a construction worker. At home, she enjoys listening to monks pray on the radio and playing with her grandchildren.

One year ago, Som Oeun developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her light sensitivity, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own.

When Som Oeun learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On October 17th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery which will break up the cataract with ultrasound, irrigate the eye, and remove the cataract through suction. Then they will implant a new lens in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure.

Som Oeun said, “I hope after surgery my vision can improve so I can help my daughter do housework and I can look after myself and my husband.”

Som Oeun is a 64-year-old rice farmer, who has one daughter, four sons, and two grandchildren. She lives with her disabled husband and her y...

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Som Oeun's Timeline

  • October 17, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • October 17, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Som Oeun 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.

  • October 19, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Som Oeun's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • February 13, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Som Oeun's treatment was fully funded.

  • February 27, 2023
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Som Oeun's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 2 donors

Funded by 2 donors

Treatment
Cataract - One Eye
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $253 for Som Oeun's treatment
Hospital Fees
$36
Medical Staff
$174
Medication
$0
Supplies
$43
  • 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.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.