Yat is a 74-year-old loving grandmother. She has two sons, two daughters, and eight grandchildren. Yat lives with her husband and their daughter who is a garment worker. She likes to listen to monks pray on the radio.
Ten years ago, Yat developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her 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. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
When Yat learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. Yat needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent a recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $225. This covers physician costs, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for September 5th.
Yat says, “I hope after surgery my eye feels comfortable and I can take care of myself.”
