Chum is 56-year-old farmer from Cambodia. Chum lives with her daughters, who work at a garment factory. Together they take care of Chum’s first grandchild. Chum’s husband passed away fourteen years ago. When it is not planting season, Chum cooks for her family, and enjoys watching Thai dramas on TV.
About five years ago, Chum developed a pterygium in both eyes, causing her blurred vision, irritation, and constant tearing. She feels a burning sensation in her eyes all day long. 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.
When Chum learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Chum needs 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 her procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for June 4th.
Chum said, “I just want this burning feeling to be gone, and I hope that I can get clear vision as well. After the surgery I will spend a lot of time with my grandchild and work again.”