Sok Ny is a 52-year-old vegetable farmer. He and his wife have three sons and two precious grandchildren. He lives with his wife and two of his sons who are still students in public school. When Sok Ny isn’t working, he enjoys watching boxing and the news on TV.
One year ago, Sok Ny developed a pterygium in his left eye, causing him itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. Sok Ny has found it increasingly difficult to drive his motorcycle due to declining vision; this interferes with his ability to raise and sell his crops.
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.
When Sok Ny learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. Sok Ny needs surgery to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of his procedure is $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for October 10th.
Sok Ny says, “I hope after surgery I will see better, support my family, and can drive my motorcycle again.”
