Phuong is a 65-year-old rice farmer who is married with one son, four daughters, and six grandchildren. He and his wife are rice farmers and live with their youngest daughter who sells coconuts by the road in their village. In the evening, he likes to visit his grandchildren and listen to local news on the radio.
Six years ago, Phuong developed a pterygium in his right eye, causing him irritation and tearing. The growth has covered his pupil and he is almost blind in that eye. 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. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
When Phuong learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. Phuong 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 his procedure is $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for May 6th.
Phuong says, “I hope after surgery, I will see better and my eye will look good. I want to go outside and plant rice to help my family.”
