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

Oeun
100%
  • $253 raised, $0 to go
$253
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Oeun's treatment was fully funded on October 8, 2022.

Photo of Oeun post-operation

October 18, 2022

Oeun underwent cataract surgery in her left eye.

Because Oeun lives alone, it was difficult for her to socialize and stay active when she could not see well. She took the advice of a neighbor and had successful surgery to repair her cataract. After her vision stabilizes, she will be able to go outside in bright or dim light without fear of injuring herself. This will change her quality of life because she can be more social and active in her community.

Oeun’s son said: “It is a relief that my mother’s vision will improve. She was sad at home by herself; now she can visit others more often and spend time with the grandchildren. Thank you for donating to fix my mother’s eyes. We are very grateful.”

Because Oeun lives alone, it was difficult for her to socialize and stay active when she could not see well. She took the advice of a neighb...

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May 4, 2022

Oeun is a 73-year-old retired rice farmer. She has two sons and four grandchildren. She lives alone near one of her sons since her husband passed away. Due to her poor vision, she stays at home and takes care of her grandchildren while her sons work. At home, she likes to cook for her grandchildren and listen to the monks pray on the radio.

Two years ago, Oeun developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision and difficulty walking outside in bright lights.

When Oeun learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On May 4th, 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 to fund this $253 procedure.

Oeun says, “I hope after surgery I can see again and go outside and take care of myself. I want to continue to take care of my grandchildren.”

Oeun is a 73-year-old retired rice farmer. She has two sons and four grandchildren. She lives alone near one of her sons since her husband p...

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Oeun's Timeline

  • May 4, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • May 4, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Oeun 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.

  • May 5, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Oeun's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • October 8, 2022
    FULLY FUNDED

    Oeun's treatment was fully funded.

  • October 18, 2022
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Oeun'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 Oeun'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.

Samson

Samson is a widower and father of a 9-year-old child. He works as a laborer at a garage washing cars to support himself and his child. A few years ago, Samson started experiencing epigastric pain and discomfort, and could not keep down his food. He has sought treatment at other hospitals before, but to no avail. A few weeks ago, Samson's condition worsened and his brother helped him seek care with our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. Doctors there conducted an endoscopy and found that the cause of Samson's symptoms was gastric obstruction due to pyloric stenosis, a narrowing of the opening from the stomach into the small intestine. If left untreated, Samson will continue to experience pain. His symptoms may also worsen, leading to dehydration, weight loss, and an overall decreased quality of life. Surgeons have recommended a laparotomy to treat Samson's condition. Fortunately, Samson is scheduled for surgery on March 13th with the help of African Mission Healthcare. Samson needs help raising $788 to fund the cost of his procedure. After surgery, not only will Samson's quality of life improve, but he will also be able to care for himself and his child. “I have been unable to care for myself and my child, becoming a burden to my family. The pain is also too much and I am afraid my wife went through the same and died. I plead for support so that I may be treated and get back to my normal life. I am also the only hope of my child,” said Samson.

6% funded

6%funded
$50raised
$738to go
Kasotot

Kasotot is a cheerful 68-year-old woman from the arid region of Baringo County in Kenya. She is a widow and mother of seven children who are all grown. She lives with her youngest son and grandson. The main economic activity in the area is livestock herding of cattle, sheep, and goats. It is a challenging life, affected by insecurity, cattle rustling, and a lack of schools and other services. Most people barter with their neighboring communities for food and/or sell their animals in order to get money for food. Kasotot has no knowledge of medical insurance, and lives in a place full of hardships with no opportunity to do any saving. Kasotot suffers from epilepsy and last month she had a seizure that made her fall into the fire and burn her foot. She went to the closest hospital for treatment. Her wound condition worsened with time and when she went back to the hospital it was already infected. The facility was small, and was unable to provide the needed treatment, so she was referred to Kapsowar Hospital. Upon examination, she was admitted for urgent debridement, or deep cleaning of the wound. Kasotot is currently confined to a wheelchair, thus not able to work. Her wound is now clean after a successful wound debridement, but she requires a free tissue flap in order to reconstruct her burned foot and quicken her healing. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Kasotot receive treatment. On November 7th, surgeons will perform surgery so Kasotot will be able to walk, work and provide for herself so as to not overly burden her son and grandson. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,478 procedure. Kasotot says, “I have really burdened my son and grandson now that I cannot walk on my own. It really hurts when all they can do is look after me while I cannot help them as I did before. Kindly help me so that we can be together in order to bring food to our table and strive together to get our basic needs.”

82% funded

82%funded
$1,217raised
$260to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.