Samuth is a 67-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has eight children, eighteen grandchildren, and enjoys reading religious texts in her spare time.
Nine years ago, Samuth developed a pterygium in both eyes, causing her irritation, tearing, 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 Samuth learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. Samuth 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 May 7.
She says, “I hope that after my operation, I will be able to attend ceremonies at the pagoda and go back to cooking for my family.”