Chhoeuy is a 59-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She is married and has five children and ten grandchildren. She likes to join in ceremonies at her pagoda and listen to the monks pray on the radio.
Three years ago, Chhoeuy’s work as a rice farmer became much more difficult due to the development of blurred vision, irritation, and tearing in both eyes. As her condition worsened, Chhoeuy began to worry about going blind. In December of 2016, she and her daughter traveled three hours to reach our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC).
Chhoeuy was diagnosed with a pterygium, a growth of tissue, in each eye. This condition is relatively common for those who work outdoors. On December 15, eye surgeons at CSC will remove the pterygium from each eye, allowing Chhoeuy to see clearly again. They are requesting $148 to cover the cost of the operation.
“I hope that my eye irritation stops and that I look better than I do now. I want to continue my work and go anywhere outside by myself,” Chhoeuy says.