Sitha is an 89-year-old woman from Cambodia. She is a retired rice farmer. She is a widow, as her husband passed away from hypertension five years ago. She has three daughters, four sons, and 13 grandchildren. She currently lives with her youngest daughter, who is also a farmer. Her favorite hobbies are listening to the radio and praying with monks.
Sitha has had age-related cataracts for about two years. Sitha developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own.
When Sitha learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On October 1st, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. She can contribute $25, but needs help raising $238 more to fund her procedure and care.
Sitha shared, “I hope that after cataract surgery, my vision will improve so that I can go outside more easily, take care of my relatives and grandchildren, and do my housework well. She also hopes that she will no longer have to worry about her eyesight.”