Ean is a 56-year-old rice farmer. She lives with her sister, who is a garment worker, and also has eight other siblings who are all farmers. After a long day in the field, she enjoys listening to the news on the radio and watching movies on television.
Three years ago, Ean developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, 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. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. She also feels embarrassed to interact with people because her eye looks cloudy and red.
When Ean learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On June 2nd, she will undergo a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. Now, she needs help raising $225 to fund her procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days.
Ean shared, “I hope after surgery my eye stops tearing and will not be itchy. I hope to see well enough to recognize family and plant rice again.”
