Than is a 49-year-old married rice farmer from Cambodia who has two sons, one daughter, and two grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoys listening to the news on the radio and watching Khmer and Thai dramas on TV.
Than traveled three hours with her husband to reach Children’s Surgical Centre for treatment of cataracts that developed in her eyes three years ago. Due to the cataracts, Than experiences blurred vision, tearing, and sensitivity to light. As a result, she cannot see clearly enough to do work well or get around outside on her own.
A cataract occurs when there is a buildup of proteins in the lens of the eye. This causes the lens to become cloudy, disrupting the passage of light through the lens and impairing vision. Most cataracts are due to age-related changes in the eye, and they are the most common cause of blindness in Cambodia.
For $292, Than will undergo small incision cataract surgery to remove the cloudy lenses from her eyes and replace them with intraocular lens implants. Funding for her treatment also includes a four-night hospital stay, food for her and her caregiver, eye drops, and medicine to reduce pain and prevent infection.
After surgery, Than will be able to see clearly again.