Dorn is a 33-year-old rice farmer. She is married and has one son and one daughter, they are both in school. Dorn’s husband is also a farmer. She likes to listen to music and the news on the radio.
Two years ago, Dorn developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her burning, irritation, and tearing. 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 Dorn learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours hoping to undergo treatment. Dorn 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 her procedure is $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for April 19th.
Dorn shared, “I hope after surgery my eye stops burning so I can go out to plant rice again.”