Samout is a 60-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has five children, seven grandchildren, and enjoys listening to the news on the radio.
Three years ago, Samout developed a pterygium in both eyes, causing her tearing, irritation, 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 Samout learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. Samout 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 April 24.
Her sister says, “I hope that my sister will be able to see again clearly and will no longer have constant tearing and irritation.”