Mai is a 59-year-old rice farmer from Kompong Thom province who needs eye surgery. He is married and has one daughter, two sons and seven grandchildren. He and his wife are rice farmers, as are all of his children.
Two years ago, Mai developed a pterygium in his right eye, which causes him to experience itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, which is the mucous layer that lubricates the eye. When the conjunctiva is exposed to too much sun over time - as happened with Mai, who spent most of his working life outside - cells grow abnormally over the pupil of the eye, causing vision impairment.
Mai needs surgery to remove the abnormal cells, which will be replaced by a conjunctival graft. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, is here to help. On September 1st, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will operate on Mai, restoring his vision. The total cost of this procedure - including the medications, supplies and two days of inpatient care - is $225, and Mai needs your help to raise this money.
Mai said: “I hope after surgery the irritation and red eye will go away. I want to go back to growing rice and see better.”