Salim is a 58-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She is married and has two sons, three daughters, and eight grandchildren. She and her husband farm ancestral land northeast of the capital, Phnom Penh. After a long day, Salim likes to spend her evenings listening to the news or joining ceremonies at the local pagoda.
Five years ago, Salim developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her to experience eye tearing, itchiness, and blurry vision. 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. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
When Salim learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. Salim 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 supplies, treatment, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for July 21st.
Salim says, “I hope after surgery my eye will not be irritated and I will see better. I can go back to the farm field and do housework well.”
