Somaly is a 54-year-old housewife from Cambodia. She has two sons, two daughters, and five grandchildren. Her husband works as a civil servant. She supports her family at home, cooking food and taking care of her grandchildren. When she has free time, she loves to watch dramas on TV.
One year ago, Somaly developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her irritation, constant tearing, and blurry vision. 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 Somaly learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled to the hospital seeking treatment. Somaly 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 May 7th.
Somaly said, “I always love taking my grandchildren to school in the morning, but I cannot do that right now. Once the irritation is gone, I will be back to normal and can take care of them again.”
