Watsi

Keus is a man from Cambodia who needs $398 to fund cataract surgery.

54%

$216 raised, $182 to go

$216

raised

$182

to go

Keus's story

March 11, 2019

Keus is a 72-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. In his free time, he likes to visit with his friends and other relatives.

Three months ago, Keus developed a cataract in each eye, causing him blurred vision and photophobia. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside.

When Keus learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for one and a half hours seeking treatment. On March 11, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $398 procedure.

He says, “I hope that after my surgery, I am able to participate in ceremonies at the pagoda, and also continue to visit with my family and friends.”

Keus is a 72-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. In his free time, he likes to visit with his friends and other relatives. Three months a...

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Keus's case was submitted by Lindsay Bownik at Children's Surgical Centre in Cambodia.

Keus's Timeline

March 11, 2019
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Keus was submitted by Lindsay Bownik, Stakeholder Relations Officer at Children's Surgical Centre, our medical partner in Cambodia.
March 11, 2019
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Keus received treatment at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.
March 11, 2019
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Keus's profile was published to start raising funds.
March 12, 2019
AWAITING UPDATE
Awaiting Keus's treatment update from Children's Surgical Centre.
TODAY
AWAITING FUNDING
Keus is currently raising funds for his treatment.

Share Keus's story

Funded by 7 donors

Treatment

Cataract - Two Eyes

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $398 for Keus's treatment

Hospital Fees

$88

Medical Staff

$230

Medication

Supplies

$80

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Patients with cataracts experience decreased vision, discomfort, and irritation. Cataracts occur when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, causing functional blindness. These changes in the lens commonly occur with increasing age and therefore affect elderly people. Cataracts can also be congenital or traumatic.

What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

The decreased vision from cataracts can cause functional blindness. This makes it difficult for the patient to conduct daily activities. Patients often need a family member to help guide and care for them. If the patient is elderly, this often affects a young child in the family. When a grandmother needs help getting around, a young child is often assigned to help with her daily tasks. That child cannot go to school.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

In many countries in the developing world, surgical services are inadequate. Cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness globally. Even where surgical services are available, barriers to surgery remain, including cost, shortage of human resources, poor infrastructure, and limited awareness about access to available services.

Process
Impact on patient's life
Risks and side-effects
Accessibility
Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

Cataract surgery is the most common surgery performed worldwide. Surgeons remove the cloudy lens and place a clear lens implant in its place.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

A patient's vision can improve to 20/20 within one day after the surgery.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Cataract surgery is highly effective and carries a low risk.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

Cataract surgery is available in most areas of Cambodia. However, free surgery is not as widely available.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Some debilitating effects of cataracts can be improved with glasses. When the cataract becomes mature, however, the only definitive treatment is surgical.

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