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Success! Vannak from Cambodia raised $229 to fund cataract surgery.

Vannak
100%
  • $229 raised, $0 to go
$229
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Vannak's treatment was fully funded on November 19, 2021.

Photo of Vannak post-operation

November 22, 2021

Vannak underwent cataract surgery.

Vannak and his wife traveled over rough roads for cataract surgery at Children’s Surgical Centre. Vannak’s surgery was successful and he was discharged home. As his eye heals, his vision will improve and he will be able to see well enough read and write again. Vannak looks forward to returning to the pagoda to help young monks with their studies and care for the pagoda.

Vannak’s wife said: “I am so relieved that Vannak will be useful again to the pagoda. He was sad when he could not see well enough to help, and now each day he looks forward to it. Thank you for improving his life.”

Vannak and his wife traveled over rough roads for cataract surgery at Children's Surgical Centre. Vannak's surgery was successful and he was...

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September 8, 2021

Vannak is a 67-year-old retired Buddhist archbishop. He and his wife have two daughters, three sons, and seven grandchildren. They live with two of their grandchildren who work as laborers. He spends his free time helping monks take care of the community pagoda and, at home, he likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio.

Two years ago, Vannak developed a cataract in his left eye causing him blurry vision and sensitivity to light. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside.

When Vannak learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On September 8th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure.

Vannak shared, “I hope I can see clearly again after surgery. I can go to the pagoda by myself, and can read and write well.”

Vannak is a 67-year-old retired Buddhist archbishop. He and his wife have two daughters, three sons, and seven grandchildren. They live with...

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Vannak's Timeline

  • September 8, 2021
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • September 8, 2021
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Vannak 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.

  • September 9, 2021
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Vannak's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • November 19, 2021
    FULLY FUNDED

    Vannak's treatment was fully funded.

  • November 22, 2021
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Vannak's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 3 donors

Funded by 3 donors

Treatment
Cataract - One Eye
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $229 for Vannak's treatment
Hospital Fees
$48
Medical Staff
$141
Medication
$0
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.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Marion

Marion is a 6-year-old student from the highlands of Elgeyo Marakwet county in Kenya. She is the second born in a family of three girls and currently attending preschool near her family home. Her parents are small-scale potato farmers. One day Marion's mother went to the river to fetch water. While she was gone, her children were sitting near an open fireplace at home making breakfast. Unfortunately, Marion's dress caught fire on the open flame, and as a result, she sustained severe burns on her back, abdomen and thighs. It has been difficult for her to walk, and the wounds are causing extreme discomfort. She especially needs a third surgery to treat the severity of her burns contractures. Despite Marion's parents having medical insurance, due to previous surgeries that she has had to treat the injuries, the insurance (a monthly subscription) has run its course and is no longer an option. Her parents do not have the funds to pay for Marion's surgery and need support. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Marion receive treatment. On January 25th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery that will allow her to walk with greater ease and resume her normal life at home and school. Now, she and her family are requesting $1,478 to help fund this procedure. Marion's mother says, “I am really looking forward to seeing my daughter live and walk in a normal way. I worked hard to pay for insurance coverage, but unfortunately, it cannot fund the upcoming procedure. I am disappointed, but I will not lose hope. Kindly help her.”

55% funded

55%funded
$819raised
$659to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.