Samay is a 54-year-old cake seller from Cambodia. She and her husband have four children and two grandchildren. Her husband is a farmer. She works in her home making cakes, and when she has free time, she helps to take care of her grandchildren and listens to news on the radio.
Six years ago, Samay developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her pain, irritation, tearing, and blurry vision. In the last seven months these symptoms have worsened. 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 Samay learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours by taxi seeking treatment. Samay 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 July 6th.
Samay shared, “I hope this pain and tearing in my eye can stop quickly, so I can feel better and be happy. I will make my cakes well so I can earn money.”