Sok Mom is housewife and mother of four from Cambodia. She loves chatting with her neighbors and checking Facebook.
Three years ago, Sok Mom developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing a burning sensation 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 Sok Mom learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for 1.5 hours seeking treatment. Sok Mom 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 September 1.
She says, “I want to be able to see clearly so I can do some tailoring work from home.”