Nai Teang is a 72-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married and has one son, two daughters, and seven grandchildren. He lives with his wife and their youngest daughter, who is a tailor. One of his favorite ways to spend his time is listening to monks pray on the radio.
Five years ago, Nai Teang developed a pterygium in his right eye, causing him to experience tearing and itchiness. 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 Nai Teang learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. Nai Teang 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 treatment, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for July 11th.
Nai Teang says, “I hope I feel comfortable after surgery and can take care of my grandchildren well.”