Watsi

Success! Daw Htar from Thailand raised $1,500 to fund cataract surgery to regain her independence.

100%

$1,500 raised, $0 to go

$1,500

raised

to go

Fully funded

Daw Htar's treatment was fully funded on March 23, 2022.

Daw Htar's story
Daw Htar's update

Photo of Daw Htar post-operation

April 5, 2022

Daw Htar underwent cataract surgery to regain her independence.

Daw Htar’s surgery was a success! Before receiving treatment, Daw Htar’s right eye frequently irritated her, and she could not see people’s faces anymore. Her vision has greatly improved since undergoing cataract surgery, and she can see people’s faces clearly again and no longer worries about losing her sight. Daw Htar noted that her eye is still sensitive to bright light, so her treatment team provided her with sunglasses to wear when outside in the bright sun.

Daw Htar said, “I am very thankful to the donors who helped me receive treatment for my eye. I am very happy I can read now. I can sew clothes, clean my house, and watch movies.”

Daw Htar’s surgery was a success! Before receiving treatment, Daw Htar's right eye frequently irritated her, and she could not see people’s ...

December 16, 2021

Daw Htar is retired and lives with her daughter. In her free time, Daw Htar like to help clean the house and sew clothes.

Daw Htar has lost most of the vision in her right eye. Sometimes, her eye feels watery or itchy. She has difficulty seeing clearly and recognizing faces. Because the vision in her left eye is also blurry, for the past month she has had to rely on her daughter to guide her when she walks.

Fortunately, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), is helping Daw Htar receive treatment. On December 20th, she will undergo lens replacement surgery, during which they will remove Daw Htar’s natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help raising $1,500 for her procedure and care.

Daw Htar shared, “I feel so upset that my condition worsens every day. I cannot sleep well, because I am worried about what will happen if I do not get better.”

Daw Htar is retired and lives with her daughter. In her free time, Daw Htar like to help clean the house and sew clothes. Daw Htar has l...

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Daw Htar's case was submitted by Bue Wah Say at Burma Children Medical Fund.

Daw Htar's Timeline

December 16, 2021
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Daw Htar was submitted by Bue Wah Say, Project Officer at Burma Children Medical Fund.
December 18, 2021
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Daw Htar's profile was published to start raising funds.
December 21, 2021
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Daw Htar received treatment at Mae Sot General Hospital in Thailand. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.
March 23, 2022
FULLY FUNDED
Daw Htar's treatment was fully funded.
April 5, 2022
TREATMENT UPDATE
Daw Htar's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Share Daw Htar's story

Funded by 28 donors

Funded by 28 donors

Treatment

Lens Replacement

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $3,505 for Daw Htar's treatment

Subsidies fund $2,005 and Watsi raises the remaining $1,500

Hospital Fees

$1,597

Medical Staff

$501

Medication

$186

Supplies

$1,020

Labs

$30

Other

$171

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Patients may experience blurred or dim vision, shadows or blind spots in the field of vision, sensitivity to light and glare, and double vision.

What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

Reduced vision can result in social isolation, depression, increased risk of falling and accidents, and ultimately a greater tendency to be disabled. Without surgery, the patient will have no choice but to live with end-stage ocular disease, often resulting in blindness or pain.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

The healthcare system in Burma does not permit the average citizen to receive proper eye examinations. This lack of attention to ocular health is due to a variety of reasons. However, a low optometrist-to-population ratio and insufficient funds are the leading causes.

Process
Impact on patient's life
Risks and side-effects
Accessibility
Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

Surgery will only be performed if the pressure in the eye is stable. The time it takes to stabilize the pressure in the eye depends on the severity of damage to the eye.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

The patient will regain his or her vision, though it may not be perfectly clear. Fortunately, the surgery prevents a complete loss of vision.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Potential side effects include bleeding, infection, scarring, persistent swelling, wound separation, and the need to undergo additional surgery.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

Burma has 309 ophthalmologists and 150 eye nurses. Fewer than half of the ophthalmologists perform surgery, and almost two-thirds confine their practice to the cities of Yangon (with a population of about six million) and Mandalay (about three million), where many people have the financial capacity to meet high out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Aside from these main facilities, there is roughly one ophthalmologist for every 500,000 people, and eye health screening and treatment for children and adults is neither comprehensive nor consistent.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

There are no alternatives. If left untreated, the patient will eventually lose his or her vision completely.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Rotha is a 50-year-old farmer from Cambodia. He is married with three daughters and one son. His wife works in a local clothes factory. In his free time, he helps his wife with housework and enjoys fishing with his friends. In 2018, Rotha was in a traffic accident and suffered an open fracture of his left tibia and a closed fracture of his left femur. He had surgery at a local hospital, with bone grafts and nails, but his tibia remained infected. After several surgeries and debridements, his infection has resolved, but his bone remains exposed from all the procedures. He cannot walk and is in great pain. When Rotha learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On November 21st, surgeons at CSC will perform reverse soleus muscle flap of the left tibia to close the open wound and help him walk again without pain. Now, he needs help to fund this $673 procedure. Rotha shared: "I hope my left leg will finally heal, I will have no infection, and can return home to work for my family again."

26% funded

26%funded

$175raised

$498to go

Hab is a 68-year-old retired rice farmer from Kampong Cham province. She has four sons, three daughters and ten grandchildren. She lives with her retired husband and her youngest daughter, who is a tailor. At home, she enjoys visiting her local pagoda and cooking for her grandchildren. About two years ago, Hab developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision, a cloudy lens, and light sensitivity. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Hab learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and half hours seeking treatment. On December 13th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and implant a new lens in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Had said: "I hope my vision improves and I can get around easily by myself. I want to be able help my daughter to do house work, and to cook for her and my grandchildren."

9% funded

9%funded

$25raised

$228to go

Hoeun is a 55-year-old hardworking father. He is married with four sons, four daughters, and two grandchildren. Hoeun recycles aluminum cans and his wife takes care of their home. Hoeun likes to watch the news on TV and listen to monks pray on the radio. Six months ago, Hoeun developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him photophobia, tearing, and blurry vision. It has been difficult for him to work outside, so he has stopped. Houen's children are currently supporting him. When Hoeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for one hour seeking treatment. On September 6th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, CSC is helping Hoeun raise $253 to fund this procedure. Hoeun shared, "I hope after surgery I can see better and easily go outside. I hope to start working again to support my living."

17% funded

17%funded

$45raised

$208to go