Watsi

Success! Kyin from Burma raised $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery.

100%

$1,500 raised, $0 to go

$1,500

raised

to go

Fully funded

Kyin's treatment was fully funded on July 22, 2020.

Kyin's story
Kyin's update

Photo of Kyin post-operation

April 17, 2020

Kyin underwent lens replacement surgery.

Now, Kyin feels much better. Before she could only see colors and blurred shapes in her right eye, but now she can see normally. She also used to experience sensitivity to light and often had to walk with her head down when she was outside to avoid the sun. Now, she can walk normally. There is no pain or discharge in her eye anymore.

In the future, Kyin wants to grow vegetables and flowers on her family’s plot of land. She often tends the garden to bring food back to her family and sell the at the market.

“Before, I couldn’t see out of my right eye. I could only see colors. Now, I can see. Before, if a person was sitting nearby, I could only see the color of their shirt. Now, I can see everything,” Kyin said.

Now, Kyin feels much better. Before she could only see colors and blurred shapes in her right eye, but now she can see normally. She also us...

January 20, 2020

Kyin is a farmer from Burma. She grows vegetable with her husband and her son on her husband’s relatives’ land for free. Their relatives own land that is available for half of the year after the rice is harvested. By selling the vegetables they grow, they earn a living.

Kyin has been diagnosed with cataract and glaucoma in her right eye. She is sensitive to the light and her vision has deteriorated. She can only make out shapes and colors.

Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Kyin. On January 21st, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Kyin’s natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure.

“In the future after I recover, I would like to continue growing vegetables,” said Kyin.

Kyin is a farmer from Burma. She grows vegetable with her husband and her son on her husband’s relatives’ land for free. Their relatives own...

Submitted by

Learn more

Kyin's case was submitted by Bridgitte Agocs at Burma Children Medical Fund.

Kyin's Timeline

January 20, 2020
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Kyin was submitted by Bridgitte Agocs at Burma Children Medical Fund.
January 20, 2020
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Kyin's profile was published to start raising funds.
January 21, 2020
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Kyin received treatment at Mae Sot General Hospital in Thailand. 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.
April 17, 2020
TREATMENT UPDATE
Kyin's treatment was successful. Read the update.
July 22, 2020
FULLY FUNDED
Kyin's treatment was fully funded.

Share Kyin's story

Funded by 39 donors

Funded by 39 donors

Treatment

Lens Replacement

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $3,505 for Kyin's treatment

Subsidies fund $2,005 and Watsi raises the remaining $1,500

Hospital Fees

$1,597

Medical Staff

$501

Medication

$186

Supplies

$1,020

Labs

$30

Other

$171

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Patients may experience blurred or dim vision, shadows or blind spots in the field of vision, sensitivity to light and glare, and double vision.

What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

Reduced vision can result in social isolation, depression, increased risk of falling and accidents, and ultimately a greater tendency to be disabled. Without surgery, the patient will have no choice but to live with end-stage ocular disease, often resulting in blindness or pain.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

The healthcare system in Burma does not permit the average citizen to receive proper eye examinations. This lack of attention to ocular health is due to a variety of reasons. However, a low optometrist-to-population ratio and insufficient funds are the leading causes.

Process
Impact on patient's life
Risks and side-effects
Accessibility
Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

Surgery will only be performed if the pressure in the eye is stable. The time it takes to stabilize the pressure in the eye depends on the severity of damage to the eye.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

The patient will regain his or her vision, though it may not be perfectly clear. Fortunately, the surgery prevents a complete loss of vision.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Potential side effects include bleeding, infection, scarring, persistent swelling, wound separation, and the need to undergo additional surgery.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

Burma has 309 ophthalmologists and 150 eye nurses. Fewer than half of the ophthalmologists perform surgery, and almost two-thirds confine their practice to the cities of Yangon (with a population of about six million) and Mandalay (about three million), where many people have the financial capacity to meet high out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Aside from these main facilities, there is roughly one ophthalmologist for every 500,000 people, and eye health screening and treatment for children and adults is neither comprehensive nor consistent.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

There are no alternatives. If left untreated, the patient will eventually lose his or her vision completely.

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100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

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Den is a 47-year-old farmer from Cambodia. He and his wife have two sons and one daughter. Their oldest son is married, while the other two children are still students. The family grows rice in the rainy season. In his free time, Den likes to watch boxing on television and listen to the radio. In December 2018, Den fractured his right arm in a motor vehicle accident. He underwent an open reduction/internal fixation procedure at a local hospital, where a plate and screws were placed to stabilize the broken bone. Unfortunately, it has been several years, and he still feels poorly. The hardware is chronically infected and requires debridement. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help. On September 6th, Den will undergo a hardware removal procedure at CSC's care center, which will resolve the chronic infection and help him to use his arm again. Now, he needs help raising $304 to fund his procedure and care. Den shared, "after surgery, I hope my right arm will have no pain or infection, and I can support my family again."

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Vannaratt is a thoughtful 14-year-old from Cambodia. His parents are divorced, and he lives with his mother and younger brother. His mother supports the family as a factory worker. Vannaratt enjoys science and Khmer literature at school and likes to play with his brother at home. He dreams of being an engineer when he grows up. For a long time, Vannaratt has been experiencing difficulty swallowing and breathing. He also has trouble sleeping at night, which makes it challenging for him to stay awake in school. His mother bought him medicine from the local pharmacy, but unfortunately, it has not helped. Vannaratt was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help Vannaratt receive treatment. On December 12th, he will undergo a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. During this procedure, the surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Vannaratt of his symptoms and helping him live much more comfortably. CSC is requesting $265 to cover the cost of this surgery. Vannaratt's family gathered $75 to contribute to his care. Vannaratt's mother said: "I hope he will breathe easier after this operation and will be able to swallow better."

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