Hoeung is a 64-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married and has two sons, two daughters, and seven grandchildren. He lives with his wife, and has retired from rice farming due to poor vision. At home, he enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio.
Seven years ago, Hoeung developed a pterygium in his right eye. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. He experiences itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. He also has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
When Hoeung learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On November 15th, surgeons at CSC will remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. Now, he needs help raising $225 to fund his procedure, medications, supplies and inpatient care for two days.
Hoeung shared, “I hope after surgery my eye can feel comfortable, and I can go outside again.”
