Sokheun is a 60-year-old farmer from Cambodia. She has three sons, four daughters, and many grandchildren. All of her children are married. Sokheun enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio and watching Khmer movies on TV.
Eight years ago, Sokheun developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her 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. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
When Sokheun learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled there with her daughter hoping to receive treatment. Sokheun 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 December 28th.
Sokheun shared, “After surgery I hope I can get around outside easily on my own and be able to spend more time taking care of my grandchildren.”