SaRoeung is a 67-year-old retired rice farmer. SaRoeung and her husband live a quiet life in Prey Veng province after retiring from many years of working as rice farmers. They are supported by their two sons and five daughters. The couple is also kept busy by their 13 grandchildren. When she is not helping family members or tidying up their home, SaRoeung enjoys visiting the pagoda in her village.
Ten years ago, SaRoeung developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurred vision. Her pterygium has recently started to cover her pupil, which has decreased her vision significantly, and she can no longer travel to places on her own. 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, wind, or dust, and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
When SaRoeung learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. SaRoeung needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. SaRoeung needs help to raise $200 for her procedure scheduled for May 21st.
SaRoeung shared, “I want to feel happy, recognize people, and walk to the pagoda without feeling uncomfortable. I hope this operation will help me see well again.”