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Success! Orn from Cambodia raised $253 to fund cataract surgery in her left eye.

Orn
100%
  • $253 raised, $0 to go
$253
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Orn's treatment was fully funded on February 14, 2023.

Photo of Orn post-operation

February 27, 2023

Orn underwent cataract surgery in her left eye.

Orn was happy to take the advice of a neighbor in her village for surgery and was overjoyed when she opened her eye with improved vision. She rested for a few days at home and instilled eye drops eight times daily to aid in healing. Her eyesight will slowly improve over the next few weeks. Orn can now see clearly the faces of her family and feels more confident in her daily activities. Her life will be better, and she looks forward to being able to see to cook for her family.

Orn said: “I want to say thank you to everyone for the free surgery and helping me get back to help my family.”

Orn was happy to take the advice of a neighbor in her village for surgery and was overjoyed when she opened her eye with improved vision. Sh...

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December 9, 2022

Orn is a 49-year-old homemaker. She and her husband are the parents of one son and three daughters in Kampong Cham province. Her husband makes and fixes sofas, her older children work at a garment factory, and her youngest son is a student.

About six months ago, Orn developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision, pain, and tearing. When Orn learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled across the country for six and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 9th, doctors will perform small incision cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure.

Orn said: “I hope after surgery I can see clearly. I want to recognize the faces of my family and go anywhere outside by myself. I want to be able to help my husband with his work.”

Orn is a 49-year-old homemaker. She and her husband are the parents of one son and three daughters in Kampong Cham province. Her husband mak...

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Orn's Timeline

  • December 9, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • December 9, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Orn 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.

  • December 13, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Orn's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • February 14, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Orn's treatment was fully funded.

  • February 27, 2023
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Orn's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 2 donors

Funded by 2 donors

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

Douby

Douby is a 17 year old student, living with his Godmother and her family in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Douby enjoys going to school, and aspires to attain a PhD in agronomy, and to become a professor. As a result of rheumatic fever that he suffered as a child, Douby has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. Two of his four heart valves were severely damaged by the rheumatic fever, and his heart cannot adequately pump blood through his body, leaving him sick and short of breath. The care Douby needs is not available in Haiti so he urgently will fly to the United States to receive treatment on February 28th at Baylor Scott & White Heart Hospital. He will undergo emergency cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will attempt to repair both damaged valves; if the valves cannot be repaired, they will be removed, and artificial valves will be implanted in their place. While another organization, Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital, is contributing $20,000.00 to help pay for Douby's surgery, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is seeking $1,500 to cover the costs for the surgery prep and transport support, including lab tests; medicines, and follow up appointments. The money will alsosupport the passport and travel expenses for the social workers that will accompany Douby and his family to the U.S. Douby was able to share: "I am looking forward to being stronger and healthier once my heart can be repaired!"

27% funded

27%funded
$414raised
$1,086to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.