53-year-old Rem is a Cambodian woman with two sons, one daughter, and six grandchildren. “Rem spends her free time doing house work, watching social news on TV, and listening to news on the radio,” reports our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC).
Ten years ago, Rem developed a pterygium, a non-cancerous growth of conjunctiva covering the cornea, in her left eye. Pterygium occurrence is much higher among people who live near the equator as a result of greater exposure to the sun. “This causes her blurred vision, burning, irritation, itchiness, tearing and redness,” shares CSC.
“It is hard for me to see anything clearly and I do not feel well,” Rem says. “It is hard for me to go anywhere outside because I am afraid of the sunshine.”
For $150, Rem’s pterygium can be surgically removed with a 45-minute excision procedure that will alleviate her uncomfortable symptoms. “After a pterygium excision surgery, Rem’s pain will be released and her irritation and itchiness will go away,” explains CSC.
Rem says, “I hope my eyes are better looking and I can feel more comfortable. I want to be able to do any work well and travel outside on my own. I don’t want to worry about the cyst getting bigger or my vision becoming worse.”