Kea is a pepper farmer from Cambodia. She has four daughters, six sons, and fifteen grandchildren. She likes to listen to monks pray on the radio.
One year ago, Kea developed a pterygium in both eyes, causing her blurry vision, burning, irritation, and tearing. 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 Kea learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Kea 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 $201. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for June 12.
She says, “I hope my eye is better looking and feels less irritated after surgery so I can continue my work at the pepper farm.”