Ngi is a 52-year-old man from Cambodia. He and his wife work selling Khmer cakes, which are traditional sticky rice cakes. He has one daughter, two sons, and two grandchildren. He lives with his wife and their youngest son. At home, he enjoys watching Khmer boxing and the news on TV.
Ten years ago, Ngi developed a pterygium in his left eye, causing him to experience eye tearing, itchiness, and blurry vision. 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. Ngi has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
When Ngi learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for one hour seeking treatment. On August 10th, he 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 his procedure is $225. This covers supplies, treatment, and inpatient care for two days.
Ngi shares, “I hope after surgery I can see better, go outside, and help my wife make Khmer cakes to sell.”
