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Success! Mit from Cambodia raised $253 to fund cataract surgery for his right eye.

Mit
100%
  • $253 raised, $0 to go
$253
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Mit's treatment was fully funded on January 31, 2023.

Photo of Mit post-operation

February 7, 2023

Mit underwent cataract surgery for his right eye.

It was difficult for Mit to travel to Children’s Surgical Centre due to poor vision in the bright sun, but it was important for him to have his eye repaired to occasionally help in the family rice fields. He had successful eye surgery and was able to return home with antibiotic eye drops to aid in healing and reduce the chance of infection. Improved eyesight is important to Mit so he can help his children and grandchildren. He looks forward to improved vision and is happy his eye will feel better soon.

Mit’s wife said, “the doctors here took care of my husband and the operation on his eye is free of charge. Now he can see better and I want to say thank so much to the staff and the people who pay to help us Cambodians.”

It was difficult for Mit to travel to Children's Surgical Centre due to poor vision in the bright sun, but it was important for him to have ...

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December 7, 2022

Mit is a proud grandfather. Together with his wife, they have one son, one daughter, and seven precious grandchildren. Mit used to be a rice farmer but no longer goes to the rice paddies due to declining vision. At home, he likes to listen to the monks praying on the radio.

Three years ago, Mit developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him cloudy vision and unable to see in bright sun or low lights. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on his own.

When Mit learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 7th, doctors will perform small incision cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $253 procedure.

He shared: “I hope after surgery I can see better and recognize my relatives. I would like to help my children and be more independent.”

Mit is a proud grandfather. Together with his wife, they have one son, one daughter, and seven precious grandchildren. Mit used to be a rice...

Read more

Mit's Timeline

  • December 7, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Mit was submitted by Ellen Interlandi, Stakeholder Relations at Children's Surgical Centre.

  • December 7, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Mit 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.

  • December 9, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Mit's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • January 31, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Mit's treatment was fully funded.

  • February 7, 2023
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Mit's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 2 donors

Profile 48x48 11692714 10153304908806201 8650397643151660751 n

Funded by 2 donors

Profile 48x48 11692714 10153304908806201 8650397643151660751 n
Treatment
Cataract - One Eye
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $253 for Mit'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.

Saoly

Saoly is a 33-year-old former garment factory worker from Cambodia. He is from the Kampong Speu province, and married with two children. His wife makes and sells traditional Khmer cakes at the local market. His children are four and seven years of age. Since an accident, he has been home and likes to listen to the news, watch TV, and play with his children. In March 2020, he was in a motorcycle collision with a truck and fell on his left shoulder on the pavement. This caused paralysis of his left shoulder and arm. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. In August 2020, he had a surgical nerve graft, which allowed him to successfully bend his elbow, but he still cannot move his shoulder or his fingers. He cannot work, feels phantom pain in his arm, and is very depressed he cannot support his family and his wife has to work hard. Saoly traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. This is the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available. On December 1st, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he hopes that he will be able to move his shoulder, use his hand, and work again to support his family. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $709 to fund this procedure. Saoly said: "I hope this surgery will help me to use my arm again. I would like to work in a factory again to support my family."

29% funded

29%funded
$207raised
$502to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.