Sim is a 65-year-old grandmother from Cambodia, and a patient with our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). Eight months ago, she developed a cataract in each eye.
Cataracts occur when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, which causes decreased vision and functional blindness. In Sim’s case, the cataracts have caused her blurred vision, tearing, irritation, and a fear of sunshine. “She can’t see everything clearly, do work well, or go anywhere outside on her own,” explains CSC.
In Cambodia, 90% of blindness could be avoided through proper treatment. As with many countries in the developing world, surgical services are inadequate and cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness globally. Even where surgical services are available barriers to surgery remain, such as cost, shortage of human resources, poor infrastructure, and limited awareness about access to available services.
$225 will fund cataract surgery that will remove the cloudy lenses from both of Sim’s eyes and replace them with artificial lenses. Funding for her surgery includes post-operative care, and after the surgery, she will be able to see clearly again.
Sim, who is married with one daughter, two sons, and two grandchildren, would like to get better so she can resume the activities she enjoys: visiting the pagoda to listen to the monks pray and joining in ceremonies, as well as visiting her relatives in other villages.
