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Saray is a 55-year-old coffee maker from Cambodia who needs $253 to fund her cataract surgery.

Saray
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  • $20 raised, $233 to go
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$233
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January 23, 2023

Saray is a 55-year-old mother of four and grandmother of two. She manages a small mobile coffee shop and lives with her husband who is a construction laborer and their youngest daughter who is a garment worker in Kampong Speu province. At home, Saray likes to listen to the news and comedy shows.

Two years ago, Saray developed a cataract in her right eye, leading her to develop blurry vision, photophobia, and tearing. She has trouble steering her mobile coffee shop and is afraid to drive it on busy roads.

When Saray learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On January 24th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery, and implant an intraocular lens in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Saray needs help raising $253 to fund her procedure.

Saray shared: “I hope after surgery I can see better, go outside, and drive my motorbike to continue my work as a coffee seller.”

Saray is a 55-year-old mother of four and grandmother of two. She manages a small mobile coffee shop and lives with her husband who is a con...

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Saray's Timeline

  • January 23, 2023
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • January 24, 2023
    TREATMENT SCHEDULED

    Saray was scheduled to receive 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.

  • January 30, 2023
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Saray's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • TODAY
    AWAITING FUNDING

    Saray is currently raising funds for her treatment.

  • TBD
    AWAITING UPDATE

    Awaiting Saray's treatment update from Children's Surgical Centre.

Funded by 1 donor

Funded by 1 donor

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