Heng is a 72-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. He and his wife have three sons, three daughters, and seven grandchildren. Nowadays, they stay home, and he enjoys listening to the news and the monks praying on the radio when he has free time.
Five years ago, Heng developed a pterygium in his right eye, causing him itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. 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. As a result of this condition, Heng has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going outside.
When Heng learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On October 24th, Heng will undergo surgery to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. CSC is requesting $225 for the total cost of this procedure, which includes his medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days.
Heng shared, “After surgery, I hope my eye feels better, and I can feel happy to travel and no longer experience irritation.”
