Touch is a 63-year-old construction worker. She has two daughters and three grandchildren. Touch lives with her eldest daughter who is also a construction worker. Nowadays, Touch stays at home to look after her grandchildren and enjoys listening to the news on the radio.
Four years ago, Touch developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her 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 Touch learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. Touch 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 medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for May 3rd.
Touch says, “I hope after surgery my eye can see well so I can take care of my grandchildren and travel outside by myself again.”