Meet Ra, a 35-year-old man from Cambodia. Ra is a rice farmer, and is married without children. “He enjoys fishing and watching boxing on TV,” says our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC).
“Two years ago Ra developed a cataract in each eye. This causes him blurred vision, irritation, and tearing,” shares CSC.
Cataracts occur when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy from age or trauma, and if left untreated, can lead to decreased vision and even blindness. Ra tells CSC, “I can’t do my work well or walk outside easily. It is difficult to recognize faces.”
Ra and his wife traveled four hours to seek medical attention for Ra at CSC.
$225 will fund surgery to remove both of Ra’s cataracts. CSC reports after the procedure, “Ra will be able to see clearly again.” Cataract surgery consists of removing the cloudy lens and placing a clear lens implant in its place.
Ra shares, “I hope my eyes can see everything clear again because I want to do my work on the farm very well. I want to one day open a shop for selling fruit.”