Tina is a 39-year-old mango farmer. He’s proudly married with three sons who are all in school. Since Phnom Penh has been on a COVID lockdown for a month, he has been unable to travel to sell his mangos, so he is currently staying at home with his family.
Two years ago, Tina developed a pterygium in his left eye, causing him itchiness 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. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
When Tina learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled there seeking treatment. Tina needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The procedure is scheduled for May 4th, and the total cost of his procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days.
Tina shared, “I hope after surgery my eye’s irritation stops and when I return to work I am feeling well.”