Watsi

Success! Aye from Thailand raised $1,500 to fund cataract surgery.

100%

$1,500 raised, $0 to go

$1,500

raised

to go

Fully funded

Aye's treatment was fully funded on February 1, 2018.

Aye's story
Aye's update

Photo of Aye post-operation

November 1, 2017

Aye underwent cataract surgery.

Now, she can see much more clearly. Her mother says that she is much happier and that she smiles and laughs much more often.

Her mother says, “She is now able to see again and I am very grateful for that.”

Now, she can see much more clearly. Her mother says that she is much happier and that she smiles and laughs much more often. Her mother s...

October 24, 2017

Aye is a nine-year-old primary school student from Thailand. She lives with her parents and five siblings.

Last year, a teacher noticed that Aye was unable to read at long distances. Aye’s mother and her teacher took her to our medical partner’s care center, Mae Tao Clinic (MTC), and she was referred to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) for further investigation. At MSH, Aye was told that she has cataracts and she needs surgery as soon as possible. Currently, Aye’s eye is blurry and itchy.

Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Aye. On October 25, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Aye’s natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure.

Aye is a nine-year-old primary school student from Thailand. She lives with her parents and five siblings. Last year, a teacher noticed ...

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Learn more

Aye's case was submitted by Bue Wah Say at Burma Children Medical Fund.

Aye's Timeline

October 24, 2017
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Aye was submitted by Bue Wah Say, Project Officer at Burma Children Medical Fund.
October 24, 2017
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Aye's profile was published to start raising funds.
October 25, 2017
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Aye received treatment at Mae Sot General Hospital in Thailand. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.
November 1, 2017
TREATMENT UPDATE
Aye's treatment was successful. Read the update.
February 1, 2018
FULLY FUNDED
Aye's treatment was fully funded.

Share Aye's story

Funded by 22 donors

Treatment

Lens Replacement

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $3,505 for Aye's treatment

Subsidies fund $2,005 and Watsi raises the remaining $1,500

Hospital Fees

$1,597

Medical Staff

$501

Medication

$186

Supplies

$1,020

Labs

$30

Other

$171

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Patients may experience blurred or dim vision, shadows or blind spots in the field of vision, sensitivity to light and glare, and double vision.

What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

Reduced vision can result in social isolation, depression, increased risk of falling and accidents, and ultimately a greater tendency to be disabled. Without surgery, the patient will have no choice but to live with end-stage ocular disease, often resulting in blindness or pain.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

The healthcare system in Burma does not permit the average citizen to receive proper eye examinations. This lack of attention to ocular health is due to a variety of reasons. However, a low optometrist-to-population ratio and insufficient funds are the leading causes.

Process
Impact on patient's life
Risks and side-effects
Accessibility
Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

Surgery will only be performed if the pressure in the eye is stable. The time it takes to stabilize the pressure in the eye depends on the severity of damage to the eye.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

The patient will regain his or her vision, though it may not be perfectly clear. Fortunately, the surgery prevents a complete loss of vision.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Potential side effects include bleeding, infection, scarring, persistent swelling, wound separation, and the need to undergo additional surgery.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

Burma has 309 ophthalmologists and 150 eye nurses. Fewer than half of the ophthalmologists perform surgery, and almost two-thirds confine their practice to the cities of Yangon (with a population of about six million) and Mandalay (about three million), where many people have the financial capacity to meet high out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Aside from these main facilities, there is roughly one ophthalmologist for every 500,000 people, and eye health screening and treatment for children and adults is neither comprehensive nor consistent.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

There are no alternatives. If left untreated, the patient will eventually lose his or her vision completely.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Sophea is a 27-year-old father of two from Cambodia. He lives in a small village with his wife and two sons. Sophea and his wife plant and harvest vegetables to sell from their street cart and provide food for their family's consumption. Twelve years ago, Sophea developed an ear infection that caused a cholesteatoma, or abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind his ear drum. As a result, Sophea experiences hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear discharge. It is difficult for him to hear at home and with his customers. Sophea traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 6th, he will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his left ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), is requesting $926 to fund this procedure, which covers all medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Sophea also contributed $100 towards his care. Sophea shared that he hopes this surgery will relieve him of symptoms and allow him to finally be able to hear again.

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Sreymom is a 37-year-old woman, living in rural Cambodia. She takes care of her mother full-time, while her oldest sister, who works as a rice farmer, helps to support them. Sreymom's main jobs around the house are cooking and cleaning, during which time she enjoys listening to Cambodian music on the radio, and singing along. Two months ago, Sreymom developed a chalazion - an inflamed cyst in her tear gland - in her right eye. As a result, she experiences irritation and swelling of her eye, which causes discomfort, and which also impairs her vision. Sreymom sought treatment from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On January 23rd, surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will remove the cyst through a chalazion excision procedure. After recovery, Sreymom's symptoms should improve. Now, she needs your help raising $210 to fund this procedure. Sreymom said: "I hope my eye gets better soon so I can take care of my mother without problems."

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11%funded

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Abel, who is 11 months old, lives with his parents in La Paz. He is his parents' first child. Abel was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. Because of this, a hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through Abel's lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. Abel's parents sought the help of our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, and now Abel is scheduled for surgery on January 16th, at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uria. During surgery, doctors will sew the hole shut, so that blood will no longer leak out. This procedure should enable Abel to grow into a healthy young boy. Abel's mother said: "Our family is praying that our son will be strong and healthy after this surgery!"

59% funded

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