Von is rice farmer from Cambodia. He has three daughters and loves watching martial arts movies.
Three years ago, Von developed a pterygium in his left eye, causing him blurry vision and constant watery eyes. 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 Von learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for four hours seeking treatment. Von 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 September 4.
His wife says, “I want my husband to be okay when he works in the rice paddies.”