Sok Phal is a 60-year-old rice farmer. She has two sons, two daughters, and five grandchildren. Sok Phal lives with her husband, who is also a farmer, and she enjoys listening to monks pray on the radio.
Two years ago, Sok Phal developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her tearing, burning, and itchiness. 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. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
When Sok Phal learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours with her daughter seeking treatment. Sok Phal needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea’s surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $216, which covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for June 8th.
Sok Phal shared, “I hope my eye irritation goes away so I don’t need to worry about my vision and appearance anymore. I want to focus on my work and help take care of my grandchildren.”