Seanghai is a 62-year-old farmer. He’s married and has four daughters and now five grandchildren. When he is not working, he likes to listen to the news on the radio.
Five years ago, Seanghai developed a pterygium in his left eye, causing him blurry vision and tearing. 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 Seanghai learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 6th, he will undergo 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 $216, which will cover medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days.
Seanghai shared, “I hope after surgery my eye can see better and I won’t be ashamed of how my eye looks any longer.”