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Rem is 67-year-old widowed grandmother from Cambodia who needs $253 to fund cataract surgery so that she can do housework and be independent.

Rem
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  • $5 raised, $248 to go
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January 2, 2023

Rem is a 67-year-old widow in Kampong Chhnang province. She has four sons, two daughters, and seven grandchildren. Her husband passed away 18 years ago, and she lives alone now. Her children live far away, tending their own farms, so she doesn’t get to see them very often, and she shared that she is often lonely. At home, she enjoys listening to local monks pray on the radio.

One year ago, Rem developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision, tearing and sensitive to sunlight. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own.

When Rem learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On January 2nd, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure.

Rem shared: “I hope my vision improves and I can do housework, and get around easily by myself. I want to walk to the pagoda by myself.”

Rem is a 67-year-old widow in Kampong Chhnang province. She has four sons, two daughters, and seven grandchildren. Her husband passed away 1...

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Rem's Timeline

  • January 2, 2023
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Rem was submitted by Romanea Khun, Assistant Manager, CSC at Children's Surgical Centre.

  • January 2, 2023
    TREATMENT SCHEDULED

    Rem was scheduled to receive 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.

  • January 3, 2023
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Rem's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • TODAY
    AWAITING FUNDING

    Rem is currently raising funds for her treatment.

  • TBD
    AWAITING UPDATE

    Awaiting Rem's treatment update from Children's Surgical Centre.

Funded by 1 donor

Funded by 1 donor

Treatment
Cataract - One Eye
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $253 for Rem'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.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.