Chanthoeun is a 48-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. In her free time, she likes to watch both Khmer and Thai dramas on the television.
Twenty years ago, Chanthoeun developed a pterygium in both eyes, causing her irritation, burning, and blurry vision. 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. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
When Chanthoeun learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. Chanthoeun 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 her procedure is $201. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for March 5.
She says, “I hope that after my surgery, the irritation will stop so I can see again and go back to my rice farming.”