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Success! Kyin from Thailand raised $1,500 to fund bilateral lens replacement surgery so she can see again.

Kyin
100%
  • $1,500 raised, $0 to go
$1,500
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Kyin's treatment was fully funded on October 4, 2021.

Photo of Kyin post-operation

December 14, 2021

Kyin underwent eye surgery so she can see again.

Before surgery, Kyin could not work because she could only perceive light in both of her eyes. Fortunately, after her two successful surgeries, her vision improved and she can now see people’s faces clearly. Now, Kyin’s eye no longer waters, hurts or itches.

“When my vision has improved completely, I will be able to go back to work and earn money to support my daughter’s education. I will continue to live with my friend’s family. I am very thankful to all the donors and BCMF. I pray that the donors will be able to support more patients in the future,” Kyin said.

Before surgery, Kyin could not work because she could only perceive light in both of her eyes. Fortunately, after her two successful surgeri...

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June 7, 2021

Kyin is a 48-year-old woman who lives with her daughter, her friend, and her friend’s family in a village in northern Thailand. Kyin’s daughter and her friend’s two children study at a migrant school. Kyin used to work as an agricultural day laborer, but stopped two months ago when her vision deteriorated. In her free time, Kyin likes to garden and clean her house.

Kyin has lost most of the vision in both of her eyes. Sometimes her eyes are watery and itchy, and if she tries to focus on identifying someone’s face, her eyes will hurt and she will develop a headache.

Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Kyin. On June 7th, doctors will perform a lens replacement in both eyes, during which they will remove Kyin’s natural lenses and replace them with intraocular lens implants. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure.

Kyin shared, “I hope that I will get better soon so that I can go back to work. I want to support my daughter so that she becomes an educated person. I also want to build a new house and live with my daughter happily for the rest of my life.”

Kyin is a 48-year-old woman who lives with her daughter, her friend, and her friend's family in a village in northern Thailand. Kyin’s daugh...

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Kyin's Timeline

  • June 7, 2021
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Kyin was submitted by Bue Wah Say, Project Officer at Burma Children Medical Fund.

  • June 7, 2021
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Kyin received treatment at Mae Sot General Hospital in Thailand. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.

  • June 9, 2021
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Kyin's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • October 4, 2021
    FULLY FUNDED

    Kyin's treatment was fully funded.

  • December 14, 2021
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Kyin's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Treatment
Bilateral Lens Replacement
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $3,505 for Kyin's treatment
Subsidies fund $2,005 and Watsi raises the remaining $1,500
Hospital Fees
$1,597
Medical Staff
$501
Medication
$186
Supplies
$1,020
Labs
$30
Other
$171
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

​What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Patients may experience blurred or dim vision, shadows or blind spots in the field of vision, sensitivity to light and glare, and double vision.

​What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

Reduced vision can result in social isolation, depression, increased risk of falling and accidents, and ultimately a greater tendency to be disabled. Without surgery, the patient will have no choice but to live with end-stage ocular disease, often resulting in blindness or pain.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

The healthcare system in Burma does not permit the average citizen to receive proper eye examinations. This lack of attention to ocular health is due to a variety of reasons. However, a low optometrist-to-population ratio and insufficient funds are the leading causes.

  • Process
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Risks and side-effects
  • Accessibility
  • Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

Surgery will only be performed if the pressure in the eye is stable. The time it takes to stabilize the pressure in the eye depends on the severity of damage to the eye.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

The patient will regain his or her vision, though it may not be perfectly clear. Fortunately, the surgery prevents a complete loss of vision.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Potential side effects include bleeding, infection, scarring, persistent swelling, wound separation, and the need to undergo additional surgery.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

Burma has 309 ophthalmologists and 150 eye nurses. Fewer than half of the ophthalmologists perform surgery, and almost two-thirds confine their practice to the cities of Yangon (with a population of about six million) and Mandalay (about three million), where many people have the financial capacity to meet high out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Aside from these main facilities, there is roughly one ophthalmologist for every 500,000 people, and eye health screening and treatment for children and adults is neither comprehensive nor consistent.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

There are no alternatives. If left untreated, the patient will eventually lose his or her vision completely.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.