Saren is a 48-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has two sons and two grandchildren, and enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio in her free time.
Three years ago, Saren developed a pterygium in both eyes, causing her irritation, pain, tearing, 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 Saren learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. Saren 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 $201. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for October 08.
Saren said, “I hope that I will be able to see clearly again so I can return to the village and continue to plant rice.”