Watsi

Success! K from Burma raised $1,500 to fund cataract surgery and restore her vision.

100%

$1,500 raised, $0 to go

$1,500

raised

to go

Fully funded

K's treatment was fully funded on May 3, 2022.

K's story
K's update

Photo of K post-operation

May 11, 2022

K underwent cataract surgery to restore her vision.

K’s surgery was a success! She shared that her life has significantly changed since undergoing her procedure. Before, K could not see objects or people’s faces, which made it difficult for her to walk, and she experienced terrible headaches. As a result, K was unable to weave her traditional Karen shirts. Now, after undergoing surgery, K can see clearly, no longer worries about being able to walk, and her headaches are finally gone. K is overjoyed with the results and looks forward to returning to weaving and helping around the house with cleaning and cooking once she is fully recovered. Until then, K is enjoying helping her husband to water the vegetables in their garden.

K said, “Thank you very much for helping me. I can see very well now. I have no money to pay for my own treatment. I am very happy, and all my family are happy with me that I can see again.”

K’s surgery was a success! She shared that her life has significantly changed since undergoing her procedure. Before, K could not see object...

February 16, 2022

K is a 46-year-old homemaker from Burma. K lives with her husband, son and two daughters in a refugee camp. K and her husband are small scale vegetable farmers. K’s eldest daughter is a nurse in the refugee camp’s hospital, while her other daughter and son are students. In her free time, K enjoys cleaning her house and weaving traditional Karen shirts.

K has a cataract in her left eye that causes blurred vision. K’s challenged vision has prevented her from weaving, and causes her to walk slowly so she does not get injured. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to help fund K’s lens replacement surgery on February 16th. After recovery, K will be able to see clearly again.

K shared, “After surgery, when I can see again, I hope to go back to weaving and helping with all the household chores.”

K is a 46-year-old homemaker from Burma. K lives with her husband, son and two daughters in a refugee camp. K and her husband are small scal...

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K's case was submitted by Bridgitte Agocs at Burma Children Medical Fund.

K's Timeline

February 16, 2022
PROFILE SUBMITTED
K was submitted by Bridgitte Agocs at Burma Children Medical Fund.
February 16, 2022
TREATMENT OCCURRED
K received treatment at Mae Sot General Hospital in Thailand. 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.
February 20, 2022
PROFILE PUBLISHED
K's profile was published to start raising funds.
May 3, 2022
FULLY FUNDED
K's treatment was fully funded.
May 11, 2022
TREATMENT UPDATE
K's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Share K's story

Funded by 31 donors

Funded by 31 donors

Treatment

Lens Replacement

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $3,505 for K's treatment

Subsidies fund $2,005 and Watsi raises the remaining $1,500

Hospital Fees

$1,597

Medical Staff

$501

Medication

$186

Supplies

$1,020

Labs

$30

Other

$171

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Patients may experience blurred or dim vision, shadows or blind spots in the field of vision, sensitivity to light and glare, and double vision.

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

Reduced vision can result in social isolation, depression, increased risk of falling and accidents, and ultimately a greater tendency to be disabled. Without surgery, the patient will have no choice but to live with end-stage ocular disease, often resulting in blindness or pain.

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

The healthcare system in Burma does not permit the average citizen to receive proper eye examinations. This lack of attention to ocular health is due to a variety of reasons. However, a low optometrist-to-population ratio and insufficient funds are the leading causes.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Surgery will only be performed if the pressure in the eye is stable. The time it takes to stabilize the pressure in the eye depends on the severity of damage to the eye.

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

The patient will regain his or her vision, though it may not be perfectly clear. Fortunately, the surgery prevents a complete loss of vision.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Potential side effects include bleeding, infection, scarring, persistent swelling, wound separation, and the need to undergo additional surgery.

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

Burma has 309 ophthalmologists and 150 eye nurses. Fewer than half of the ophthalmologists perform surgery, and almost two-thirds confine their practice to the cities of Yangon (with a population of about six million) and Mandalay (about three million), where many people have the financial capacity to meet high out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Aside from these main facilities, there is roughly one ophthalmologist for every 500,000 people, and eye health screening and treatment for children and adults is neither comprehensive nor consistent.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

There are no alternatives. If left untreated, the patient will eventually lose his or her vision completely.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Olivia is a 28-year-old small scale farmer from Uganda. She is married and her husband is a boda boda driver, who unfortunately was injured last year. The couple has two children who are both in school, with their youngest in kindergarten. Olivia completed primary school and then worked as a house helper. She later stopped when she got married. Now, Olivia farms on her small piece of land and sometimes does casual labor work in other people's gardens to earn an income. In her free time, Olivia enjoys spend time with her family. Olivia is currently expecting her third child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section because of two previous C-Section scars. This will prevent complications, like uterine rupture, that could arise if she attempts a normal delivery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Olivia to deliver her baby safely. On March 9th, she will undergo a C-Section at AMH's care center. Now, Olivia needs help raising $252 to fund her procedure and care. Olivia shared, "I hope with your support, I will be able to have a successful delivery and I will be able to resume farming in good health."

59% funded

59%funded

$150raised

$102to go

Sun is a 67-year-old grandmother. She is a widow and has one son, one daughter, and three grandchildren. She used to work as a rice farmer, but she is now retired. Her daughter helps support the family by working as a cleaner. In her free time, she enjoys spending time at her local pagoda to pray. One year ago, Sun developed a cataract in her right eye causing her blurry vision and itchiness. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own. When Sun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 1st, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help funding this $253 procedure. Sun shared, "I hope after surgery I can see better I feel happy and I can go out and recognize people."

0% funded

0%funded

$0raised

$253to go

Huoy is a 18-year-old garment factory worker. Huoy has two brothers and one sister. Currently, Huoy lives with her mother who grows and sells vegetables. In her free time, Huoy helps her mom with housework and spends time on social media. In mid-December 2021, Huoy was in motorbike accident and fractured her left forearm. At a local hospital, she had a screw and plate fixed to the bone to heal her fracture. Now, The fracture has healed but she still have pain, and she is afraid it will get worse and affect her work. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help. On January 12th, Huoy will undergo a fracture hardware removal procedure, which will cost $304. Removal of the hardware will reduce pain, reduce risk of infection, and improve mobility and use of her arm. Huoy shared, "After the plate and screw are removed, I hope I can move my arm and work comfortably."