A total of 31 children suffering from strabismus and eye movement disorders received free examinations and surgeries at the National Children's Hospital in Hanoi from 21-25/9. This initiative was part of a practical training course on pediatric strabismus and eye movement disorder surgery, jointly organized by Orbis International and the National Children's Hospital. Out of the 31 pediatric patients who received thorough examinations and consultations, 18 underwent surgery under the guidance of international experts. Orbis International fully covered all treatment costs not covered by health insurance.

Strabismus, commonly known as crossed eyes or 'le' in Vietnamese, is a condition where both eyes do not look in the same direction. One eye might look straight ahead while the other turns inward, outward, upward, or downward. This is a common ophthalmological condition in young children. Without timely intervention, strabismus can cause permanent damage to visual function, affect daily activities, and negatively impact a child's self-confidence and social integration.

Doctors perform surgery on a pediatric patient. Photo: Orbis

Ms. Tuyen, mother of Ha My, one of the pediatric patients treated during this period, shared her daughter was born with multiple disadvantages, including both an eye condition and a left-hand disability. "I hope my child's eyes become normal so she isn't stigmatized by others", Ms. Tuyen said.

Professor Donny W. Suh, Chief of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus, and Medical Director of the EyeMobile Program at the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, United States, directly participated in teaching and performing surgeries during this initiative. He was joined by anesthesiologist Galib Mukhadam and nursing specialist Kenan Mwenda from Orbis Flying Eye Hospital.

During this period, more than 20 doctors and nurses from the National Children's Hospital, Central Eye Hospital, Hanoi Medical University, Children's Hospital 1, and other medical facilities nationwide received practical training in strabismus surgery. Medical personnel also participated in online learning through Cybersight, Orbis International's remote medical education platform.

Anesthesiologist Galib Mukhadam of Orbis Flying Eye Hospital examines a pediatric patient. Photo: Orbis

Doctor Nguyen Ba Trung from the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Children's Hospital, a direct participant in the course, stated that he gained access to many modern techniques, such as botulinum toxin injections for acute strabismus and muscle transposition surgery for complex paralytic strabismus cases. Doctor Trung emphasized, "This is an invaluable learning opportunity for pediatric ophthalmologists in Vietnam."

Doctor Nguyen Ngoc Chung, Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Children's Hospital, assessed that the course helps medical professionals enhance their capacity to handle challenging cases, meeting the growing demand for pediatric ophthalmology treatment.

Orbis International is an international non-profit organization dedicated to preventing blindness and restoring vision. The organization began supporting Vietnam's eye care sector in 1996 and opened its representative office in Hanoi in 2003. From 2025 to the present, Orbis International and the National Children's Hospital have continued to advance a project to improve the quality of pediatric ophthalmology services. The project focuses on screening and treating retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), aiming to ensure children nationwide have access to high-quality eye care services.