Simas is a 40-year-old farmer. She is married with one son and one daughter. Her husband works as a farmer and her children are students. When she is not busy with her active children, she likes to watch the news or movies on television.
Five years ago, Simas developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and irritation. 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 Simas learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On November 11th, she will undergo 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, which will cover medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days.
Simas shared, “I hope after surgery my eye will be better, I won’t have irritation or tearing. I can help my husband plant crops and I won’t worry how my eye looks anymore.”