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Success! Horn from Cambodia raised $253 to fund cataract surgery so she can see clearly and travel without worry.

Horn
100%
  • $253 raised, $0 to go
$253
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Horn's treatment was fully funded on January 18, 2023.

Photo of Horn post-operation

February 7, 2023

Horn underwent cataract surgery and can now see can see clearly and travel without worry.

Because Horn and her husband live with a daughter who works all day, it was difficult for her to stay active since she could not see well. She took the advice of her neighbor and had a successful surgery to repair her cataract. She will rest at home for several days, and apply eye drops daily to assist in healing. She can now go outside in bright or dim light without fear of injuring herself. This will change her life because if she continued to socially isolate she would be at greater risk for depression and other serious medical conditions.

Horn said: “I am happy I can go outside with my husband for walks again. I felt bad staying in the house all day and could not see to do anything. Thank you to the kind people who paid for my surgery, and to the staff at the hospital.”

Because Horn and her husband live with a daughter who works all day, it was difficult for her to stay active since she could not see well. S...

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August 15, 2022

Horn is a grandmother from Cambodia who is 87 years young. She has four sons, one daughter, and fifteen grandchildren. She and her husband live with their daughter, who is a teacher. For many years, Horn worked selling groceries from their house, but she has had to stop due to poor eyesight. At home, she likes to listen to monks pray on the radio.

Six years ago, Horn developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her to experience light sensitivity and poor vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own. She previously enjoyed walking to the pagoda with her husband, but she now fears that she will trip and fall because she is unable to see well.

When Horn learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On August 15th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure.

Horn says, “I hope my vision improves and I can get around easily by myself.”

Horn is a grandmother from Cambodia who is 87 years young. She has four sons, one daughter, and fifteen grandchildren. She and her husband l...

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Horn's Timeline

  • August 15, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Horn was submitted by Sieng Heng at Children's Surgical Centre.

  • August 15, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Horn received treatment at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre in Cambodia. 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.

  • August 15, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Horn's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • January 18, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Horn's treatment was fully funded.

  • February 7, 2023
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Horn's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 6 donors

Funded by 6 donors

Treatment
Cataract - One Eye
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $253 for Horn's treatment
Hospital Fees
$36
Medical Staff
$174
Medication
$0
Supplies
$43
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

Patients with cataracts experience decreased vision, discomfort, and irritation. Cataracts occur when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, causing functional blindness. These changes in the lens commonly occur with increasing age and therefore affect elderly people. Cataracts can also be congenital or traumatic.

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

The decreased vision from cataracts can cause functional blindness. This makes it difficult for the patient to conduct daily activities. Patients often need a family member to help guide and care for them. If the patient is elderly, this often affects a young child in the family. When a grandmother needs help getting around, a young child is often assigned to help with her daily tasks. That child cannot go to school.

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

In many countries in the developing world, surgical services are inadequate. Cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness globally. Even where surgical services are available, barriers to surgery remain, including cost, shortage of human resources, poor infrastructure, and limited awareness about access to available services.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Cataract surgery is the most common surgery performed worldwide. Surgeons remove the cloudy lens and place a clear lens implant in its place.

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

A patient's vision can improve to 20/20 within one day after the surgery.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Cataract surgery is highly effective and carries a low risk.

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

Cataract surgery is available in most areas of Cambodia. However, free surgery is not as widely available.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Some debilitating effects of cataracts can be improved with glasses. When the cataract becomes mature, however, the only definitive treatment is surgical.

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.