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Success! Phan from Cambodia raised $253 to fund cataract surgery to restore her vision.

Phan
100%
  • $253 raised, $0 to go
$253
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Phan's treatment was fully funded on February 16, 2023.

Photo of Phan post-operation

March 1, 2023

Phan underwent cataract surgery to restore her vision.

Phan was glad she took the advice of her neighbor to have her cataract removed. She traveled with her daughter to our medical partner CSC, where she had successful surgery. When her eye has completely healed, she will be able to go outside on her own and is looking forward to visiting her local pagoda. This care has allowed her more independence and she is happy she no longer needs to stay home.

Phan said: “Before the operation, it was really difficult to coordinate my walk when I was outside. I could not go anywhere. I am grateful to the staff and to all the people who have made my life easier now that I can see better. I look forward to taking walks with my family in my village and am not afraid to walk outside. Thank you for making this grandmother very happy.”

Phan was glad she took the advice of her neighbor to have her cataract removed. She traveled with her daughter to our medical partner CSC, w...

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September 28, 2022

Phan is a caring grandmother of twelve from Cambodia. She has one son and five daughters and helps take care of her grandchildren. Phan’s husband passed away many years ago, and she lives with her youngest daughter, a construction worker. When Phan is not caring for her family, she enjoys listening to the monks pray and visiting the community pagoda.

Four years ago, Phan developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her photophobia and blurry vision. As a result, she has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she cannot go places independently.

When Phan learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On September 28th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $253 to fund this procedure.

Phan said, “After surgery, I hope I can see clearly. I want to go outside again without problems and see my family’s faces.”

Phan is a caring grandmother of twelve from Cambodia. She has one son and five daughters and helps take care of her grandchildren. Phan's hu...

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Phan's Timeline

  • September 28, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • September 28, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Phan 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.

  • September 30, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Phan's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • February 16, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Phan's treatment was fully funded.

  • March 1, 2023
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Phan's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 6 donors

Funded by 6 donors

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