Saran is a 55-year-old rice farmer who is married with one son, three daughters, and three grandchildren. He and his wife live with their youngest daughter who is a student. Unfortunately, due to chronic eye irritation and sensitivity to light, he is unable to work in the rice field. At home, he likes to listen to the monks pray and the news on the radio.
Six years ago, Saran developed a pterygium in his right eye causing him irritation, tearing, and difficulty seeing in bright lights. 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 Saran learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On September 13th, Saran will undergo 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 which will cover medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days.
Saran shared, “I hope my eye gets well after surgery. I can go back to the rice field again to help my wife and can plant vegetables near our house to earn money for my daughter’s studying.”