Read our powered by our community 🙌 Check out our 🙌
Meet another patient

Watsi logo blueWatsi

Success! Kech from Cambodia raised $253 to fund cataract surgery so she can see clearly again.

Kech
100%
  • $253 raised, $0 to go
$253
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Kech's treatment was fully funded on October 9, 2022.

Photo of Kech post-operation

October 18, 2022

Kech underwent cataract surgery so she can see clearly again.

Kech had successful surgery for her cataract and was able to return home the next day. Kech can have a more productive life and be useful to her family and her community. She looks forward to visiting her neighbors and the local pagoda, which will be good for her mind and body.

Kech says: “I am happy I listened to our neighbor and had this surgery. I can see well, and work well again. Thank you!”

Kech had successful surgery for her cataract and was able to return home the next day. Kech can have a more productive life and be useful to...

Read more
May 4, 2022

Kech is a 68-year-old grandmother who is married with two daughters, five sons, and eighteen grandchildren. In her free time, Kech enjoys spending time with her family and listening to the monks pray on the radio and visiting the pagoda.

One year ago, Kech developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her photophobia, tearing, and blurry vision. As a result, she has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she cannot go places on her own.

When Kech learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On May 4th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $253 to fund her procedure.

Kech shared, “I hope after surgery that my eye can see better. I would like to recognize things better again and be able to go outside on my own.”

Kech is a 68-year-old grandmother who is married with two daughters, five sons, and eighteen grandchildren. In her free time, Kech enjoys sp...

Read more

Kech's Timeline

  • May 4, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Kech was submitted by Sieng Heng at Children's Surgical Centre.

  • May 4, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Kech 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.

  • May 4, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Kech's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • October 9, 2022
    FULLY FUNDED

    Kech's treatment was fully funded.

  • October 18, 2022
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Kech's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 3 donors

Funded by 3 donors

Treatment
Cataract - One Eye
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $253 for Kech's treatment
Hospital Fees
$36
Medical Staff
$174
Medication
$0
Supplies
$43
  • 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.