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Success! Yin from Cambodia raised $253 to fund cataract surgery.

Yin
100%
  • $253 raised, $0 to go
$253
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Yin's treatment was fully funded on March 4, 2023.

Photo of Yin post-operation

March 12, 2023

Yin underwent cataract surgery.

Yin knew of our medical partner CSC from a neighbor, so she was confident she would be well taken care of. After surgery, she stayed in the hospital overnight, then she returned home with her daughter. At home, she applied eye drops eight times a day to reduce the chance of infection and aid in healing. As her vision slowly improved, she was amazed at how poor her vision had been and is excited that she can recognize faces, go outside in the bright sun, and be more active.

Yin shared: “Now I can do housework well and watch TV instead of just listening! I feel more useful to my family. Thank you to the CSC staff and all the people who donated to help.”

Yin knew of our medical partner CSC from a neighbor, so she was confident she would be well taken care of. After surgery, she stayed in the ...

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October 20, 2022

Yin is a widowed, 74-year-old grandmother, living with one of her daughters. In total, she and her husband have two sons, three daughters and nine grandchildren. Yin has retired from farming, and making grass and bamboo mats.

One year ago Yin developed a cataract in her left eye, which causes tearing in that eye, and blurry vision. As a result of the cataract, she is unable to go outside in the bright sun because of light sensitivity, or visit her local pagoda on her own, one of her favorite activities in the past.

Yin learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, and traveled some distance to seek their help. Now she is scheduled to undergo cataract surgery on October 20th, at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, when doctors will remove the cataract, and implant an intraocular lens in her eye. After she has recovered, Yin will be able to resume an independent life. Now, she needs your help to fund this $253 procedure.

Yin shared: “I want to be able to see well again so I can take care of myself and do all my day to day things at my house that help our family.”

Yin is a widowed, 74-year-old grandmother, living with one of her daughters. In total, she and her husband have two sons, three daughters a...

Read more

Yin's Timeline

  • October 20, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Yin was submitted by Sieng Heng at Children's Surgical Centre.

  • October 20, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Yin received treatment at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre in Cambodia. 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.

  • October 21, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Yin's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • March 4, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Yin's treatment was fully funded.

  • March 12, 2023
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Yin's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 4 donors

Funded by 4 donors

Treatment
Cataract - One Eye
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $253 for Yin's treatment
Hospital Fees
$36
Medical Staff
$174
Medication
$0
Supplies
$43
  • 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.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

David

David is a 24-year-old male from Kenya. He is the last born in a family of four children raised by his mother. He works at a timber workshop near his home. In June 2020, David was involved in an accident where he was hit from the side by a motorbike. He was taken to the nearest public hospital and received emergency care. An x-ray revealed that he had an open right tibia fracture that needed surgery. Following his initial surgery, he has since had several additional surgeries due to the severity of the injury. In October 2022, he was referred to the care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, run by our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), for specialized review and care. His doctors quickly realized that he still walks with a limp, and his ankle is stiff with bloody discharge from the incision site. His doctors determined that a deeper examination was needed, and he ended up having a hardware removal surgery. However, the region where the fracture occurred is still severely infected, and he risks losing his right leg due to the infection. The doctors have recommended an additional procedure to remedy the remaining issues and clean the infection. Fortunately, AMH has scheduled David for a second-stage bone transport in hopes of avoiding amputation and helping him walk again. AMH is requesting $1,500 to fund the procedure and provide for David's post-operative care. David says, “I feel exhausted and worried. I am unable to walk despite having several surgeries. I hope this surgery [helps] to save my leg.”

51% funded

51%funded
$766raised
$734to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

David

David is a 24-year-old male from Kenya. He is the last born in a family of four children raised by his mother. He works at a timber workshop near his home. In June 2020, David was involved in an accident where he was hit from the side by a motorbike. He was taken to the nearest public hospital and received emergency care. An x-ray revealed that he had an open right tibia fracture that needed surgery. Following his initial surgery, he has since had several additional surgeries due to the severity of the injury. In October 2022, he was referred to the care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, run by our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), for specialized review and care. His doctors quickly realized that he still walks with a limp, and his ankle is stiff with bloody discharge from the incision site. His doctors determined that a deeper examination was needed, and he ended up having a hardware removal surgery. However, the region where the fracture occurred is still severely infected, and he risks losing his right leg due to the infection. The doctors have recommended an additional procedure to remedy the remaining issues and clean the infection. Fortunately, AMH has scheduled David for a second-stage bone transport in hopes of avoiding amputation and helping him walk again. AMH is requesting $1,500 to fund the procedure and provide for David's post-operative care. David says, “I feel exhausted and worried. I am unable to walk despite having several surgeries. I hope this surgery [helps] to save my leg.”

51% funded

51%funded
$766raised
$734to go