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Khoun from Cambodia raised $225 for cataract removal surgery.

Khoun
100%
  • $225 raised, $0 to go
$225
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Khoun's treatment was fully funded on June 25, 2016.

Photo of Khoun post-operation

August 20, 2016

Khoun underwent successful cataract surgery.

Khoun’s right eye cataract was successfully removed and clear vision has been restored. The patient went home after the first surgery and has yet to come back to have the same operation in the other eye. Because coming to the clinic requires taking a day off from work and usually a family escort, the patient may have had trouble finding a day to come back. Also, because the patient left with clear vision in one eye, their problems with blurred vision are less of burden making the second surgery a less immediate priority than the first. Khoun’s second surgery will be free whenever she returns.

Khoun's right eye cataract was successfully removed and clear vision has been restored. The patient went home after the first surgery and ha...

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June 1, 2016

Khoun is an 81-year-old grandmother living in Cambodia. She is married with three sons, three daughters, and 20 grandchildren. She enjoys visiting the pagoda to join in ceremonies and prayers. Khoun traveled 2 hours with her daughter to reach CSC for treatment.

About one year ago, Khoun started having blurred vision and tearing from both eyes, and became unable to travel independently with her vision impairment. She visited our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), and was found with a cataract in each eye.

Her doctors at CSC recommended she have surgery to resolve her vision impairment and restore clarity. They would perform an extracapsular cataract extraction and an intraocular lens implant in each eye, which will replace her internal ocular lenses. In total, the procedure, supplies, drugs, and three days of inpatient care will cost $225.

Following her surgery, Khoun will have restored vision and her discomfort will be resolved. She will also have her independence again, and will be able to visit the pagoda on her own.

Khoun is an 81-year-old grandmother living in Cambodia. She is married with three sons, three daughters, and 20 grandchildren. She enjoys vi...

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Khoun's Timeline

  • June 1, 2016
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Khoun was submitted by Hannah Callas, Stakeholder Relations Officer at Children's Surgical Centre.

  • June 1, 2016
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Khoun received 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.

  • June 21, 2016
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Khoun's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • June 25, 2016
    FULLY FUNDED

    Khoun's treatment was fully funded.

  • August 20, 2016
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    We received an update on Khoun. Read the update.

Funded by 6 donors

Funded by 6 donors

Treatment
Cataract - Two Eyes
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
  • 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.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.