Heang is a 50-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He has five children, two grandchildren, and enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio in his free time.
Four years ago, Heang developed a pterygium in right, causing him tearing and irritation. 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 Heang learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. Heang 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 $201. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for September 11th.
“I hope that after my surgery, I will be able to see more clearly than before and will no longer have tearing or irritated eyes.”