Chin is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has five daughters and seven grandchildren. She enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio.
One year ago, Chin developed a pterygium in both eyes, causing her photophobia and blurred 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 Chin learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for one and a half hours seeking treatment. Chin 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 March 6.
She says, “I hope I can take care of grandchildren and go outside by myself again.”