Watsi

Success! Sy from Cambodia raised $398 to fund cataract surgery.

100%

$398 raised, $0 to go

$398

raised

to go

Fully funded

Sy's treatment was fully funded on January 7, 2019.

Sy's story
Sy's update

Photo of Sy post-operation

October 24, 2018

Sy underwent cataract surgery.

Sy has returned home after a quick and successful surgery. Sy’s visual acuity has improved, which will greatly improve his quality of life. He looks forward to being able to go places independently and see his grandchildren’s faces.

He says, “I feel very happy that I can see everything clearly so I can do my work easily and I can go outside independently again.”

Sy has returned home after a quick and successful surgery. Sy’s visual acuity has improved, which will greatly improve his quality of life. ...

October 14, 2018

Sy is a farmer from Cambodia. He has three daughters, three sons, and ten grandchildren. He likes to watch TV in his free time.

Three months, Sy developed a cataract in each eye, causing him blurry vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside.

When Sy learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for seven hours seeking treatment. On October 15, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $398 procedure.

He says, “I look forward to recognizing my loved ones’ faces.”

Sy is a farmer from Cambodia. He has three daughters, three sons, and ten grandchildren. He likes to watch TV in his free time. Three mon...

Submitted by

Learn more

Sy's case was submitted by Lindsay Bownik at Children's Surgical Centre in Cambodia.

Sy's Timeline

October 14, 2018
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Sy was submitted by Lindsay Bownik, Stakeholder Relations Officer at Children's Surgical Centre, our medical partner in Cambodia.
October 15, 2018
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Sy received treatment at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. 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.
October 23, 2018
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Sy's profile was published to start raising funds.
October 24, 2018
TREATMENT UPDATE
Sy's treatment was successful. Read the update.
January 07, 2019
FULLY FUNDED
Sy's treatment was fully funded.

Share Sy's story

Funded by 9 donors

Treatment

Cataract - Two Eyes

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $398 for Sy's treatment

Hospital Fees

$88

Medical Staff

$230

Medication

Supplies

$80

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Patients with cataracts experience decreased vision, discomfort, and irritation. Cataracts occur when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, causing functional blindness. These changes in the lens commonly occur with increasing age and therefore affect elderly people. Cataracts can also be congenital or traumatic.

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

The decreased vision from cataracts can cause functional blindness. This makes it difficult for the patient to conduct daily activities. Patients often need a family member to help guide and care for them. If the patient is elderly, this often affects a young child in the family. When a grandmother needs help getting around, a young child is often assigned to help with her daily tasks. That child cannot go to school.

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

In many countries in the developing world, surgical services are inadequate. Cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness globally. Even where surgical services are available, barriers to surgery remain, including cost, shortage of human resources, poor infrastructure, and limited awareness about access to available services.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Cataract surgery is the most common surgery performed worldwide. Surgeons remove the cloudy lens and place a clear lens implant in its place.

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

A patient's vision can improve to 20/20 within one day after the surgery.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Cataract surgery is highly effective and carries a low risk.

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

Cataract surgery is available in most areas of Cambodia. However, free surgery is not as widely available.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Some debilitating effects of cataracts can be improved with glasses. When the cataract becomes mature, however, the only definitive treatment is surgical.

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