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Success! Khneng from Cambodia raised $253 to fund cataract surgery.

Khneng
100%
  • $253 raised, $0 to go
$253
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Khneng's treatment was fully funded on March 23, 2023.
November 3, 2022

Khneng is a 67 year old former farmer. He lives with his wife and youngest daughter - a garment worker - in Cambodia. Together, he and his wife have one son, five daughters, and four grandchildren. To supplement their income, Khneng maintains a small vegetable garden.

Two years ago, Khneng developed a cataract in his left eye, which causes him itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. Because he has difficulty seeing clearly, he is reluctant to go out on his own.

When Khneng learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for three and a half hours to seek treatment. On November 3rd, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform small incision cataract surgery, and implant an intraocular lens in his left eye. After he has fully recovered, Khneng will be able to see clearly, and regain his independence. Now, he needs help to fund this $253 procedure.

Khneng said: “I hope after surgery my eye can see better. I hope to go outside, take care of myself, and plant vegetables around my house to sell and support our living.”

Khneng is a 67 year old former farmer. He lives with his wife and youngest daughter - a garment worker - in Cambodia. Together, he and his ...

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Khneng's Timeline

  • November 3, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Khneng was submitted by Sieng Heng at Children's Surgical Centre.

  • November 3, 2022
    TREATMENT SCHEDULED

    Khneng was scheduled to receive treatment at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre in Cambodia. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.

  • November 4, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Khneng's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • March 23, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Khneng's treatment was fully funded.

  • TODAY
    AWAITING UPDATE

    Awaiting Khneng's treatment update from Children's Surgical Centre.

Funded by 5 donors

Funded by 5 donors

Treatment
Cataract - One Eye
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $253 for Khneng's treatment
Hospital Fees
$36
Medical Staff
$174
Medication
$0
Supplies
$43
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

​What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Patients with cataracts experience decreased vision, discomfort, and irritation. Cataracts occur when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, causing functional blindness. These changes in the lens commonly occur with increasing age and therefore affect elderly people. Cataracts can also be congenital or traumatic.

​What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

The decreased vision from cataracts can cause functional blindness. This makes it difficult for the patient to conduct daily activities. Patients often need a family member to help guide and care for them. If the patient is elderly, this often affects a young child in the family. When a grandmother needs help getting around, a young child is often assigned to help with her daily tasks. That child cannot go to school.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

In many countries in the developing world, surgical services are inadequate. Cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness globally. Even where surgical services are available, barriers to surgery remain, including cost, shortage of human resources, poor infrastructure, and limited awareness about access to available services.

  • Process
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Risks and side-effects
  • Accessibility
  • Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

Cataract surgery is the most common surgery performed worldwide. Surgeons remove the cloudy lens and place a clear lens implant in its place.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

A patient's vision can improve to 20/20 within one day after the surgery.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Cataract surgery is highly effective and carries a low risk.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

Cataract surgery is available in most areas of Cambodia. However, free surgery is not as widely available.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Some debilitating effects of cataracts can be improved with glasses. When the cataract becomes mature, however, the only definitive treatment is surgical.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Chanthoeun

Chanthoeun is a 57-year-old rice farmer. She is a widow and lives in Kampong Cham province with her youngest daughter. She has a total of four daughters and nine precious grandchildren. She spends her days outside on the farm and caring for her grandchildren while her daughter sells soft drinks. She likes to watch Khmer dramas on TV in the evening. Twelve years ago, Chanthoeun developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her Irritation and redness. Lately, it has been much worse and she has difficulty seeing. 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 Chanthoeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. Chanthoeun 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 $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for February 7th. Chanthoeun said, "I hope after surgery my eye irritation will go away, and no redness. I want to help my daughter to take care of my grandchildren, go outside to help with the rice, and do housework well"

0% funded

0%funded
$0raised
$225to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.