Watsi

Success! Phat from Cambodia raised $229 to fund sight-restoring cataract surgery.

100%

$229 raised, $0 to go

$229

raised

to go

Fully funded

Phat's treatment was fully funded on May 12, 2022.

Phat's story
Phat's update

Photo of Phat post-operation

May 20, 2022

Phat underwent sight-restoring cataract surgery.

Phat had felt increasingly dependent on others due to her poor vision and was hoping for a remedy that would enable her to get back to doing more of what she needs to do each day. Our medical partner shared that Phat had a successful cataract removal and was able to return home to her community the following day. She hopes to be more productive after her eye has healed completely, and looks forward to working alongside her husband on the rice farm. This will help to support her family so that her grandchildren can attend school and have money for food.

Phat said: “I am relieved I will see well again. I want to be able to walk to the pagoda by myself without being afraid I will fall. Thank you to the staff who fixed my eye and the people who paid for my surgery. My family won’t have to take care of me, and I can contribute to our family and community.”

Phat had felt increasingly dependent on others due to her poor vision and was hoping for a remedy that would enable her to get back to doing...

February 14, 2022

Phat is a 58-year-old farmer who works in the rice fields. She is married and has two sons, two daughters, and seven grandchildren. Phat lives with her husband, and likes to go to the pagoda.

Three years ago, Phat developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision, photophobia, and tearing. As a result, Phat has difficulty seeing things clearly and is worried about falling when walking alone.

When Phat learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On February 14th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in Phat’s left eye. CSC is helping Phat raise $229 to fund this surgery so that she can see clearly.

Phat shared, “I hope after surgery I can easily travel outside again and do my work well.”

Phat is a 58-year-old farmer who works in the rice fields. She is married and has two sons, two daughters, and seven grandchildren. Phat liv...

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Phat's case was submitted by Sieng Heng at Children's Surgical Centre.

Phat's Timeline

February 14, 2022
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Phat was submitted by Sieng Heng at Children's Surgical Centre.
February 14, 2022
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Phat received treatment at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre in Cambodia. 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.
February 15, 2022
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Phat's profile was published to start raising funds.
May 12, 2022
FULLY FUNDED
Phat's treatment was fully funded.
May 20, 2022
TREATMENT UPDATE
Phat's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Share Phat's story

Funded by 2 donors

Treatment

Cataract - One Eye

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $229 for Phat's treatment

Hospital Fees

$48

Medical Staff

$141

Medication

Supplies

$40

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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Srey Moch is a 39-year-old mom of two from Cambodia with a daughter in fifth grade and a son in eighth grade. Her husband is a chef and she sells rice. In her free time, she likes watching movies with her kids. Ten years ago, Srey Moch had an ear infection that caused the ear drum in her right ear to perforate. Because of this, Srey Moch experiences ear pain, hearing loss, and tinnitus. She cannot communicate clearly at work and frequently experiences discomfort. Srey Moch traveled to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, to receive treatment. On March 6th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear, during which surgeons will close the perforation. CSC is requesting $487 to cover the procedure, medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Srey Moch said, "I hope my hearing will improve after surgery and I can do more during work."