Chenda is a woman from Cambodia. She has one teenage daughter, and she enjoys watching Thai soap operas in her spare time.
Three years ago, Chenda developed a pterygium in both eyes, causing her itchiness, 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 Chenda learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for one hour seeking treatment. Chenda 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 January 17.
She says, “I want to feel better about going outside and going to the market without my eye problem.”

