Meet Sok, a 56-year-old rice farmer who lives in Cambodia. He is married and has three sons, one daughter, and six grandchildren. “He enjoys listening to social news on the radio and cleaning the grass around his home,” says our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC).
Two years ago, Sok developed a cataract in each of his eyes. A cataract is a condition that results in clouded eye lenses, causing blurred or limited vision. Cataracts are a large problem in Cambodia: tens of thousands of individuals are unable to support themselves due to their blindness. Sok’s cataracts are causing blurred vision, itchiness, and irritation. “He can’t see clearly, recognize faces, go anywhere by himself, or do any work,” shares CSC.
For $225, Sok can undergo a phacoemulsificaiton surgery and receive intraocular lenses. Through this procedure, Sok’s blurred lenses are emulsified and removed, and intraocular lenses are used to replace the natural lenses.
CSC expects that after the procedure, Sok will be able to see clearly again. “I hope I can see everything clearer than now so I can easily continue my work at the farm and can grow some crops like bananas and eggplants around my home,” share Sok. “I’d also like to go somewhere outside easily by myself,” Sok continues, “like going to visit my relatives in the provinces.”
