Putsat is a 46-year-old rice farmer who is married with one son, five daughters, and five grandchildren. Putsat lives with her husband who is a farmer and with her youngest daughter who is still a student. Pusat likes to watch movies, play with her grandchildren, and watch the news on the TV.
Four years ago, Putsat developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her to feel irritation and tearing. 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. Putsat is unable to see much beyond shadows and it has greatly limited what she is able to do.
When Putsat learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for five and half hours seeking treatment. Putsat needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. CSC is requesting $225 to cover the procedure scheduled May 11th along with medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days.
Putsat shared, “I hope after surgery my eye will feel comfortable and I won’t have any more redness or tearing. I am worried I cannot see out of my eye and want to see well to grow food for and take care of my family.”