Min is a 39-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has two sons and one daughter, and since her husband died, she now stays with her daughter.
Five years ago, Min developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her irritation, tearing, and itching. 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 Min learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for eight and a half hours seeking treatment. Min needs 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 her procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for February 3rd.
“I hope that her eye irritation will stop and that she will be able to go outside again and plant rice.” -Min’s Aunt