Read our powered by our community 🙌 Check out our 🙌
Meet another patient

Watsi logo blueWatsi

Success! Thy from Cambodia raised $253 to fund sight-restoring cataract surgery.

Thy
100%
  • $253 raised, $0 to go
$253
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Thy's treatment was fully funded on February 21, 2023.

Photo of Thy post-operation

March 17, 2023

Thy underwent sight-restoring cataract surgery.

Thy was happy that one of his friends suggested Children’s Surgical Centre for an eye consultation. After losing much of his vision in his left eye, it was difficult for him to have pride in his work and he felt ashamed he could not see well. After surgery, he rested at home for a few days and applied eye drops to aid in healing. His eyesight has improved already, and he looks forward to returning to his customers at the hair salon.

Thy said: “I am grateful to the staff who have made my life easier now that I can see better. I look forward to working with customers. Thank you for my surgery so I can even know about new trends in hairstyles. I am very grateful to the generous people who support Children’s Surgical Centre so we can have good care here.”

Thy was happy that one of his friends suggested Children's Surgical Centre for an eye consultation. After losing much of his vision in his l...

Read more
October 3, 2022

Meet Thy, a single, 39-year-old hairdresser, who lives in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. When he isn’t at work, Thy enjoys listening to popular music, watching television, and playing volleyball with his friends.

Three years ago, Thy developed a cataract in his left eye, a condition which has affected his ability to see clearly, because of the tearing, blurriness, and the floaters that can block his vision. This, in turn, has made it difficult for Thy to do his work and earn a living.

Thy traveled to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, to seek treatment. On October 3rd, doctors will perform small incision cataract surgery, and implant an intraocular lens in his left eye. After he has recovered, Thy will be able to see clearly, and to resume both his work with clients and his leisure activities. Now, he needs your help to fund this $253 procedure.

Thy said: “I hope after surgery I can see better and do well in my job to support myself. It is hard to feel happy and go out when I can’t see well.”

Meet Thy, a single, 39-year-old hairdresser, who lives in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. When he isn't at work, Thy enjoys listening to popular musi...

Read more

Thy's Timeline

  • October 3, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • October 3, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Thy received 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.

  • October 5, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Thy's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • February 21, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Thy's treatment was fully funded.

  • March 17, 2023
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Thy's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 3 donors

Funded by 3 donors

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