Pha is a 63-year-old retired rice farmer. She has three sons, four daughters, and nine grandchildren. Pha lives with her husband and she enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio.
Three years ago, Pha developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her irritation and tearing. 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. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
When Pha learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Pha needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent a recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for March 11th.
Pha says, “I hope the irritation stops so I can go outside and care for myself and my grandchildren.”