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Lin is a 74-year-old mother and grandmother from Cambodia who needs $253 to fund cataract surgery to improve her vision.

Lin
40%
  • $103 raised, $150 to go
$103
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$150
to go
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November 14, 2022

Lin is a 74-year-old widow. Sadly, her husband passed away many years ago, and she has one son, one daughter, and five grandchildren. She lives with her daughter, who farms rice on their ancestral land. Lin cooks and cares for her grandchildren and likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio in the evenings.

Two years ago, Lin developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision. 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. She feels like she has lost her independence.

When Lin learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On November 14th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help raising $253 to fund her procedure and care.

Lin shared, “I hope after surgery my eyesight will be better so I can recognize my family and visit the local pagoda to join in ceremonies.”

Lin is a 74-year-old widow. Sadly, her husband passed away many years ago, and she has one son, one daughter, and five grandchildren. She li...

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Lin's Timeline

  • November 14, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • November 14, 2022
    TREATMENT SCHEDULED

    Lin 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 17, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Lin's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • TODAY
    AWAITING FUNDING

    Lin is currently raising funds for her treatment.

  • TBD
    AWAITING UPDATE

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

Funded by 4 donors

Funded by 4 donors

Treatment
Cataract - One Eye
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $253 for Lin'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.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.