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Ay is a 65-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia who needs $253 to fund cataract surgery to improve his vision.

Ay
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  • $15 raised, $238 to go
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November 16, 2022

Ay is a 65-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married and has one daughter, two sons, and six grandchildren. He lives with his wife, who is also a farmer. In his free time, Ay likes to listen to the news and the monks pray on the radio.

One year ago, Ay developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him sensitivity to light, tearing, and blurry vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he is not able to go places on his own.

When Ay learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On November 16th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help raising $253 to fund his procedure and care.

Ay shared, “I would be very happy to go outside by myself and see all the faces of my grandchildren again.”

Ay is a 65-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married and has one daughter, two sons, and six grandchildren. He lives with his wife, ...

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Ay's Timeline

  • November 16, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • November 16, 2022
    TREATMENT SCHEDULED

    Ay 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.

  • November 18, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Ay's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • TODAY
    AWAITING FUNDING

    Ay is currently raising funds for his treatment.

  • TBD
    AWAITING UPDATE

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

Funded by 2 donors

Profile 48x48 902386 2231450909741 1756666814 o

Funded by 2 donors

Profile 48x48 902386 2231450909741 1756666814 o
Treatment
Cataract - One Eye
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $253 for Ay'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.

Irenea

Irenea is a 60-year woman from the Philippines. She takes care of her grandchildren and helps with household chores. Her daughter, a vendor, and her son-in-law, a baker, support the family financially. In February 2022, Irenea began to experience troubling symptoms, including intermittent fever and episodes of blood in the urine. She sought a medical checkup and underwent an ultrasound test. The test revealed that she was suffering from gallstones. She opted to take medicine in the hopes that it would cure her condition. Unfortunately, her condition seemed to worsen over time. Irenea has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, her symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Irenea is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on December 16th. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $826 to cover the cost of Irenea's surgery and care. "This treatment is almost impossible for our mother to receive. Our financial resources are insufficient, so we're incapable to pay for her hospital bill," Irenea's daughter shared tearfully. "To WATSI and World Surgical Foundation Philippines, thank you for this early Christmas gift! Our family is so happy to be one of your beneficiaries," she added.

46% funded

46%funded
$387raised
$439to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.