“Two years ago Yung developed a cataract in each eye,” our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), explains. “She is partially blind, experiences tearing, and is afraid of the sunshine. She can’t see everything clearly or go walking anywhere by herself.”
Yung is seventy years old and a grandmother to four young grandchildren. She lives with her children and grandchildren in Cambodia. To seek treatment for her cataracts, Yung and her daughter traveled for three hours to reach CSC.
A cataract is an eye condition that develops as proteins form over the eye lens. These proteins accumulate gradually, causing vision-impairing cloudiness that worsens over time.
With $225, doctors at CSC can replace the clouded lenses of the eye with new, artificial lenses. The treatment is a short, 45-minute operation and Yung will need to wear an eye patch for one to two days afterwards while her eye recovers. After this brief healing time, Yung will be able to see clearly again.
Watsi funding will ensure that Yung and her family do not need to worry about bearing the costs of the operation with the little they earn. It will cover the surgical and medical costs, as well as her hospital stay.
Yung is looking forward to having her eyesight back after the operation, and will return to care for her family.