On Wednesday 25th May 2022, Ms Nop Socheata took her twins to Khmer Soviet Friendship Hospital (KFSH), Phnom Penh. Ms Socheata’s daughter, Phy Sovansreypich, and son, Phy Sovanratanak were born at 32 weeks and weighed 1.7kg and 1.6kg respectively at their time of birth. the support she received is the culmination of 15 years of work by Sight For All.
Ms Nop Socheata, from Kampong Cham province, delivered the babies at a private clinic in Phnom Penh. The paediatrician was concerned about the babies eye sight and had received access to Sight For All’s Early Childhood Eye Health Awareness Project, which raised awareness of common eye conditions, symptoms and referral pathways.
Due to the twin’s early delivery, low birth weight and conception via IVF, they have an increased risk of conditions, including Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), a potentially blinding condition that affects premature babies.
On 25th May 2022, the twins sight was assessed by Sight For All trained Paediatric Ophthalmologist, Dr Kheng and the current two Paediatric Ophthalmology Fellows. Using equipment donated by Sight For All, the twins’ were diagnosed with early stages of ROP. Though no treatment is currently required, they will continue to be monitored by Dr Kheng and the specialised team at KSFH.
Ms Socheata and her children are among a number of new patients who are being referred to receive available, specialised eye health care. KSFH alone has received referrals from multiple public, charitable and private hospitals and clinics, nationwide. This includes National Paediatric Hospital, Kunthabopha and National Maternity and Child Health, both facilities in which Sight For All circulated Khmer brochures and information about the Project
Ms Socheata’s children now weigh more than 5kg and are thriving under the care of the KSFH Paediatric Ophthalmology team.
Sight For All’s Early Childhood Eye Health Awareness Project has been, and continues to be successful in facilitating children with eye conditions to be identified early and for timely intervention to be provided.