Meet Mas, a 61-year-old mother of six and grandmother of four who lives in Cambodia. She enjoys spending her time doing housework and visiting the temple.
“Mas developed a cataract in each eye five months ago,” our medical partner Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC) tells us. A cataract occurs when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy from a buildup of proteins. Due to this condition, Mas has experienced blurred vision and tearing. “She can’t see clearly, do work well, or go outside on her own,” CSC explains.
This cloudiness in Mas’ eyes has accumulated over time, and has slowly deteriorated her vision. If left untreated, she could completely lose her ability to see.
After hearing about CSC from her neighbor, Mas has travelled three hours with her sister to reach CSC for proper medical care. With $225, doctors at CSC will perform an operation to remove the cloudy lenses in both of Mas’ eyes and replace them with new, artificial lenses. Within one day of her procedure, Mas will be able to see clearly again.
Mas is very excited for her treatment. “I hope my eyes can see everything clear, so that I can go anywhere outside well and help my daughter to cook and take care of my grandchildren,” Mas shares.