Read our powered by our community 🙌 Check out our 🙌
Meet another patient

Watsi logo blueWatsi

Success! Oun from Cambodia raised $253 to fund cataract surgery to improve his vision.

Oun
100%
  • $253 raised, $0 to go
$253
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Oun's treatment was fully funded on March 9, 2023.

Photo of Oun post-operation

March 21, 2023

Oun underwent cataract surgery to improve his vision.

Oun was glad he took the advice of relatives to have his cataract removed. He traveled with his wife to CSC, and he had a successful surgery in the Eye Clinic. He stayed overnight in the hospital, rested at home for a few more days, and will apply eyedrops eight times daily for the next couple of weeks to aid in healing. When his eye has completely healed, he will be able to work outside on his rice farm without fear of falling and travel independently to visit family. That will give him ability to visit the family without staying alone.

Oun shared: “I am happy that I had this surgery. I can see well and work well again outside. Thank you to all the people and the staff for making my health better. People should continue to donate to keep the hospital available for Cambodians like me who cannot afford this operation without help.”

Oun was glad he took the advice of relatives to have his cataract removed. He traveled with his wife to CSC, and he had a successful surgery...

Read more
November 14, 2022

Oun is a 49-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married and his wife works as a tailor. The couple has four sons who are all students at the local public school. When he is at home after a long day outside, Oun enjoys listening to the news on the radio and watching boxing on television.

One year ago, Oun developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him sensitivity to light and blurry vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces. He is also worried about falling when walking, so he is not able to go places on his own.

When Oun learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On November 14th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help raising $253 to fund his procedure and care.

Oun shared, “I hope after surgery I can see well again. It is important for me to support my family by growing rice on our land and selling it at our local market.”

Oun is a 49-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married and his wife works as a tailor. The couple has four sons who are all students ...

Read more

Oun's Timeline

  • November 14, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • November 14, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Oun 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.

  • November 17, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Oun's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • March 9, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Oun's treatment was fully funded.

  • March 21, 2023
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Oun's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 5 donors

Funded by 5 donors

Treatment
Cataract - One Eye
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $253 for Oun's treatment
Hospital Fees
$36
Medical Staff
$174
Medication
$0
Supplies
$43
  • 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.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.