Rin is an elderly farmer from Cambodia. He is married; he and his wife have one son, seven daughters, and many grandchildren. They live with their oldest daughter, who is also a farmer. During the day, Rin likes to go to the local pagoda to visit with the monks.
Five years ago, Rin developed a pterygium in his right eye, causing him blurry vision and a burning feeling in his eye. 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 Rin learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. Rin 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 his procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for November 29th.
“After surgery, I hope I can see clearly and my eye will be better looking,” says Rin. “I can see my children and my grandchildren’s faces clearly and I can go to the pagoda by myself after surgery.”