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Success! Khem from Cambodia raised $253 to fund cataract surgery to restore his vision.

Khem
100%
  • $253 raised, $0 to go
$253
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Khem's treatment was fully funded on March 13, 2023.
October 24, 2022

Khem is a 49-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married and has a daughter. Khem’s wife works as a garment worker, and their daughter is in school. After a long day at work, Khem shared that he loves to come home and listen to the news on the radio and help his daughter with her homework.

A year ago, Khem developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him tearing and blurry vision. As a result, he has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he cannot go out alone.

When Khem learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On October 24th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $253 to fund Khem’s procedure.

Kehm said, “After surgery, I hope I will see clearly. I hope to go outside, recognize things, and plant rice well.”

Khem is a 49-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married and has a daughter. Khem's wife works as a garment worker, and their daughter...

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Khem's Timeline

  • October 24, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • October 24, 2022
    TREATMENT SCHEDULED

    Khem 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.

  • October 24, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Khem's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • March 13, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Khem's treatment was fully funded.

  • TODAY
    AWAITING UPDATE

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

Funded by 4 donors

Funded by 4 donors

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