Tuy is a 60-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married and has two sons, two daughters, and four grandchildren. He lives with his wife, who helps him on the farm. Some of Tuy’s favorite activities include caring for his grandchildren, listening to the news, and watching boxing on TV.
Five years ago, Tuy developed a pterygium in his left eye, causing him to experience eye tearing, irritation, and blurred vision. 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. Tuy has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
When Tuy learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On August 15th, 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 $225, which covers supplies, treatment, and inpatient care for two days.
Tuy shares, “I hope that after surgery I will see better and will be able to plant rice again so my wife doesn’t have to work so hard.”