Watsi

Sokhorn from Cambodia raised $225 for vision-restoring cataract surgery.

100%

$225 raised, $0 to go

$225

raised

to go

Fully funded

Sokhorn's treatment was fully funded on December 1, 2015.

Sokhorn's story
Sokhorn's update

Photo of Sokhorn post-operation

December 23, 2015

Sokhorn received vision-restoring cataract surgery.

After a brief, 40-minute procedure, Sokhorn can see clearly again. In order to ensure that Sokhorn’s successful cataract removal creates long term improvements, “she has been instructed to apply three different ointments and eye drops daily to protect her eye from infection,” our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, shares.

Sokhorn tells us that her vision is much clearer, and she experiences less pain after the procedure. Along with visiting the pagoda, Sokhorn says looks forward to “cooking food for the monks and easily walking anywhere by myself.”

Sokhorn’s husband adds: “I feel very happy that my wife can see everything clearly again and I am so thankful to the doctors and staff at CSC that helped her receive surgery for her eye.”

After a brief, 40-minute procedure, Sokhorn can see clearly again. In order to ensure that Sokhorn's successful cataract removal creates lon...

November 16, 2015

Sokhorn is a 58-year-old woman living in Cambodia with her husband, three sons, one daughter, and eight grandchildren. She is a nun at the pagoda, and she “spends her time meditating, cleaning around the pagoda, and reading the Bible,” says our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC).

Sokhorn has cataracts in her left eye, which causes blurred vision, tearing and irritation. Sokhorn is fearful of the sunshine and says “It is hard to see everything clearly so I can not read or go walking anywhere very well.” CSC shares that Sokhorn traveled seven hours with her husband to reach their services.

For $225, Sokhorn’s cataract can be surgically corrected. Cataract surgery is an outpatient surgery and takes about one hour in total. Cataract surgery has high impact for improving visual acuity and improving quality of life.

“I hope my eye can see everything clearer,” Sokhorn says, “so I can help the monks cook food, and I can read letters more clearly.”

Sokhorn is a 58-year-old woman living in Cambodia with her husband, three sons, one daughter, and eight grandchildren. She is a nun at the p...

Submitted by

Learn more

Sokhorn's case was submitted by Hannah Callas at Children's Surgical Centre in Cambodia.

Sokhorn's Timeline

November 16, 2015
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Sokhorn was submitted by Hannah Callas, Stakeholder Relations Officer at Children's Surgical Centre, our medical partner in Cambodia.
November 16, 2015
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Sokhorn 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.
November 26, 2015
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Sokhorn's profile was published to start raising funds.
December 01, 2015
FULLY FUNDED
Sokhorn's treatment was fully funded.
December 23, 2015
TREATMENT UPDATE
We received an update on Sokhorn. Read the update.

Funded by 6 donors

Treatment

Cataract - Two Eyes

Diagnosis
Procedure

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.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Saroem is a farmer from Cambodia. She has three sons, five daughters, and 18 grandchildren. She likes listening to monks pray on the radio. Two years ago, Saroem developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision, tearing, a clouded lens, and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Saroem learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On August 13, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $211 procedure. She says, "I hope I can recognize the faces of my grandkids and help my family with work after the operation."

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Phany is a cashew farmer from Cambodia. He has two daughters, two sons, and two grandchildren. He likes to watch TV programs about agriculture in his free time. A year ago, Phany developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him partial blindness, irritation, and a clouded lens. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Phany learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for five hours seeking treatment. On August 13, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $211 procedure. He says, "I hope I can return to work after the operation and lead an independent life."

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Gonzaga is a young woman from Uganda. She is a midwife and works in a pharmacy. Five months ago, Gonzaga noticed a swelling on her right breast. She underwent a scan and was diagnosed with fibroadenoma. She is currently not in any pain but should the mass be left untreated, she may experience pain and discomfort. Gonzaga traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On September 12, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Gonzaga needs help to raise $196 to fund this procedure. She says, “After surgery I will have peace of mind and look for a job and work as a midwife.”

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