Xi Chuan Zhang of Kunming, China, was born with strabismus, a condition that causes a misalignment of the eyes. As one eye focuses in one direction, the other is misdirected upward, downward, inward or outward. In Xi’s case, one eye turned outward.

Xi Chuan Zhang

Strabismus is often referred to as “crossed eyes,” “wandering eyes” or “lazy eye.”

Although children with strabismus aren’t technically classified as blind, they may experience double vision because their eyes are seeing two objects at once. In order to overcome this problem, their brain must “tune out” the wandering eye. If children with strabismus aren’t treated, they usually lose some sight in the eye that is ignored, causing a condition called amblyopia. Children with strabismus also have poor depth perception and have an abnormal appearance.

Many children with strabismus suffer severe emotional distress because of the teasing they endure. They often develop poor social skills, as they’re unable to maintain eye contact and lose self-esteem. When they grow up, they usually have a hard time securing employment.

Xi was lucky. Her parents brought her to an ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital program before long-term neurologic damage had occurred. After an out-patient procedure to adjust her eye muscles, Xi now has straight eyes. The sad-faced little girl who appeared at patient screening day is now laughing, smiling and interacting with new friends. A bright future is in store for her, thanks to the ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital.

You can help

To help other children like Xi, please complete our online donation form. Your donation will enable ORBIS volunteer faculty to train eye doctors in China, Ethiopia and numerous other countries around the world.

With your help, children with strabismus, corneal disease and other treatable eye disorders will have access to quality eye care services in their local community.